THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLINIANA 


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c.2 


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Experience 

of 

A  Confederate 

Chaplain 


1861-1865 


A.  D.  BETTS. 


EXPERIENCE 


OF  A 


Confederate  Chaplain 

1861-1864 


By  Rev.  A.  D.  Betts,  D.  D., 

N.  C.  Conference 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 


Chaplain 
joth  N.  C.   Troops. 


Edited  by  W.  A.  Betts. 


i     Rev.  A  .D.  Betts,  Chaplain,  4    Rev.  A. W.  Mangum,  Chaplain, 
30th  Regiment.  6th  Regiment. 

2  Rev.  L,.  A.  Bikle,    Chaplain,  5    Rev.  A.  IY.  Stough,  Chaplain, 

20th  Regiment.  37th  Regiment. 

3  Rev.  A.  A.  Watson,  Chaplain,  6     Rev.  William  S.  L,acy,  Chap- 

2d  Regiment.  lain,  47th   Regiment. 

7     Rev.   R.  S.  Webb,  Chaplain,  44th  Regiment. 


Rev.  A.  D.  BETTS,  D.  D., 

of  the 

North  Carolina  Conference,  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 


INTRODUCTION. 

HISTORY  rightly  defined  is  more  than  a  narration  of 
events  transpiring  within  certain  periods  of  the  Calen- 
dar. That  most  useful  of  the  sciences  deals  with  the 
philosophy  and  results  of  occurrences,  deriving  there- 
from an  array  of  principles  which  form  a  part  of  the 
world's  necessary  and  priceless  treasure.  The  histor- 
ian takes  the  crude  materials  time  pours  into  his  hands, 
digests,  filters  and  refines  the  mass,  thereby  securing 
the  simplest  and  most  serviceable  products.  These  he 
places  on  the  market  where  buyers  always  wait,  eager 
and  affluent.  Artists  and  artisans  these  buyers  are, 
who  for  their  own  and  others'  wellbeing  build  struct- 
ures, weave  fabrics,  or  portray  the  perfect  pattern. 

The  chronicles  of  a  Confederate  Chaplain's  diary 
will  doubtless  furnish  the  staple  for  weaving  a  most  en- 
gaging story  when  the  true  historian  shall  find  them. 

The  perusal  of  these  plain  annals  will  surely  revive 
in  the  memory  of  many  a  Confederate  Veteran  the  vivid 
panorama  of  that  unequalled  and  heroic  struggle  for 
the  perpetuation  of  certain  principles  that  underlie  the 
purest  and  best  form  of  government  in  the  estimation 
of  loyal  Southrons. 

It  is  devoutly  desired  that  all  who  may  trace  the 
indentures  of  this  diary  will  reflect  gratefully  upon  the 
allwise  and  gracious  providence  of  God  that  seeks  to 
save  even  unto  the  uttermost.  It  is  believed  that  many 
persons,  at  home  and  in  the  army,  were  led  to  accept 
Christ  as  their  Saviour,  who  under  other  circumstances 
might  never  have  known  His  forgiving  love. 

Joseph  T.  Derry  in  his  "Story  of  the  Confederate 
States,"  says: 

"There  was  throughout  the  Southern  army  a 
strong  religious  sentiment,  and  many  of  the  officers  and 


men  were  deeply  pious.  *****  Firmly  believing  that 
God  gave  to  them  all  the  brilliant  victories  that  shed 
such  lustre  on  their  arms,  they  also  believed  that  God 
in  His  wisdom  had  given  them  final  defeat.  It  is  this 
feeling  that  has  caused  the  Southern  people,  without 
any  consciousness  of  guilt,  or  shame,  to  accept  in  perfect 
good  faith  the  result  of  the  war  and  the  changed  order 
of  things,  and  at  the  same  time  to  use  every  constitu- 
tional method  to  maintain  the  rights  of  their  States  as 
co-equal  members  of  the  Union."  W.  A.  B. 


THE  WAR  OF  THE  CONFEDERACY. 


EDITORIAL  NOTE. 

The  discriminating  minds  among  our  intelligent 
young  people  of  the  South  will  readily  perceive  that 
there  is  a  manifest  and  important,  because  truthful, 
distinction  to  be  maintained  touching  the  style  and 
title  of  the  conflict  waged  on  this  American  continent 
during  1861-1865,  between  The  United  States  and  the 
newly  born  nationality  known  as  The  Confederate 
States.  The  following  from  Dr.  S.  A.  Steel,  of  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  will  be  appreciated: 

"The  term  'Civil  War'  ought  to  be  abandoned  be- 
cause it  embodies  an  error.  A  civil  war  is  a  war  be- 
tween factions  contending  for  the  control  *of  the  same 
government,  like  Caesar  and  Pompey,  like  Lancaster 
and  York.  If  the  Southern  people  had  fought  in  the 
Union,  it  would  have  been  a  civil  war,  and  the  defeated 
party  would  have  been  rebels.  The  movement  was  a 
revolution.  The  object  of  it  was  to  maintain  a  separate 
government.  The  war  was  between  the  government  of 
the  United  States  and  the  government  of  the  Confeder- 
ate States.  We  went  out  of  the  Union ;  went  so  com- 
pletely that  we  had  to  be  re-admitted.  We  were  not 
'rebels,'  but  patriots,  wisely  or  unwisely,  exercising  the 
the  inalienable  right  of  self-government  in  an  honest 
effort  to  rectify  political  diffiiculties.  This  is  the  ver- 
dict   history    will    ultimately    pronounce    upon    that 

struggle." 

While  our  friends,  the  enemy,  persist  in  calling  us 

"Rebels,"  and  refer  to  that  struggle  for  Southern  in- 
dependence as  "The  Rebellion,"  we  are  content  to  bear 
the  obloquy,  knowing  the  injustice  of  it ;  yea,  we  glory 
in  it,  as  did  the  now  largest  of  protestant  religious  de- 
nominations accept  and  wear  the  term  of  reproach 
designating  them  "Methodists."  But  let  us  not  forget 
that  "We  be  brethren!" 
Greenville,  South  Carolina. 


EXPERIENCE  OF   A  CONFEDERATE  CHAP= 

LAIN,  1861=1865. 


One  day  iu  April,  1861,  I  heard  that  President  Lin- 
coln had  called  on  the  State  troops  to  force  the  seceding 
States  back  into  the  Union.  That  was  one  of  the  saddest 
days  of  my  life.  I  had  prayed  and  hoped  that  war  might 
be  averted.  I  had  loved  the  Union,  and  clnng  to  it. 
That  day  I  saw  war  was  inevitable.  The  inevitable 
must  be  met.  That  day  I  walked  up  and  down  my 
porch  in  Smithville  (now  Southport,  N.  O.)  and  wept 
and  suffered  and  prayed  for  the  South. 

The  drum  and  fife  were  soon  heard  there,  and  all 
through  the  Old  North  State  companies  of  our  best  men, 
young  and  middle  aged,  offered  themselves  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State.  He  organized  them  into  regiments. 
.2,  <?  The  3©th  Regiment  was  soon  sent  to  Smithville.  Rev 
.T.  M.  Sprunt,  D.  D.,  was  their  Chaplain.  (See  history 
in  "Chaplain  Service.")  Brunswick  County  had  a 
company  (G)  in  this  regiment.  As  I  had  preached  in 
that  county  in  1859,  I  knew  some  of  the  men.  The 
parents  of  Capt.  John  S.  Brooks  were  very  dear  friends 
to  me.  The  Captain  went  safely  through  all  the  perils 
till  1864,  when  he  was  killed,  having  been  promoted  to 
Major. 

John  Harvil  was  killed  in  1862. 

Brunswick  soon  had  another  company  ready  for 
service.  That  was  pur  in  the  30th  Regiment  with  "A" 
from  Sampson,  "B"  from  Warren,  "D"  from  Wake, 
•lE"  from  Duplin,  'lF'?  from  Pitt,  "G"  from  Granville, 
"H"  from  Moore,  "I"  from  Nash,  and  "K"  from  Meck- 
lenburg County.  As  I  had  preached  in  Sampson  County 
in  1857  and  1858 1  found  friends  in  Company  A.  Among 
my  friends  in  Company  C  was  Lorenzo  Dow  Cain  from 


Bladen.  He  had  been  teaching  some  time  in  Brunswick 
before  the  war,  and  joined  Capt.  Joseph  Green's  com- 
pany and  was  commissioned  2nd  Lieut.,  on  the  day  that 
most  of  the  men  enlisted — Sept.  26th,  1861.  He  was  a 
bright,  amiable  young  man. 

When  the  30th  Regiment  was  organized  at  Raleigh 
some  one  proposed  that  the  commissioned  officers 
should  call  a  chaplain.  Lieut.  Cain  wrote  me  fiom 
Raleigh  that  they  had  chosen  me,  and  urged  me  to 
accept,  modestly  suggesting  that  it  would  give  me  a 
field  for  large  usefulness.  I  prayed  over  it  a  few  days 
and  wrote  to  Governor  Clark  that  I  would  accept.  My 
commission  was  dated  October  25th,  1861.  The  30th 
Regiment  was  soon  sent  to  Smithville.  I  reported  for 
duty.  Col.  F.  M.  Parker  kindly  allowed  me  to  finish  up 
my  work  on  the  circuit  and  go  to  Conference  at  Louis- 
burg. 

There  three  others  had  an  experience  with  me.  A 
noble  citizen  put  us  in  a  nice  new  house.  One  night 
we  left  our  house  unlocked  while  we  were  out.  Rev. 
R.  A.  Willis  lost  his  trunk,  with  books,  clothes  and 
manuscript  sermons.  Rev.  J.  H.  Robbins  lost  his  over- 
coat. Rev.  R.  S.  Webb  lost  his  valise  and  clothes.  My 
carpet  bag  and  clothing  were  gone  too.  We  hired  a 
detective  to  hunt  our  lost  goods.  One  day  we  heard  a 
valise  had  been  seen  on  some  drift  wood  in  Tar  river. 
We  hastened  to  the  spot.  As  we  crossed  a  field  we  saw 
sheets  of  paper  among  the  briars.  They  were  Brother 
Willis'  sermons.  We  walked  on  picking  the  sheets  from 
the  briars.  Bro.  Webb,  in  a  solemn,  dry  tone,  said : 
Bro.  Willis  sows  "beside  all  waters."  Bro.  Willis  did 
not  laugh.  We  found  a  shirt  for  me  and  a  garment  or 
two  for  others. 

My  regiment  was  moved  to  Camp  Wyatt,  on  Fed- 
eral Point.  I  rented  a  house  near  by  for  wife  and 
three  children.  I  preached  often  and  held  prayer  meet- 
ing in  some  company   almost   every   night.     I  copied 


8 

rolls  of  companies,  noting  age  of  each  soldier,  where 
born,  postoffice,  creed,  and  to  what  local  church  each 
belonged,  married  or  single,  number  of  children  if  any, 
etc. 

In  the  spring  of  1862  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
White  Oak  River,  Onslow  County. 

J.  W.  Russ,  of  Bladen,  asked  me  to  send  my  family 
to  board  with  him.     I  sent  them. 

Regiment  was  reorganized  in  May  and  ordered  to 
Richmond  in  June,  reaching  there  June  15th. 

June  23rd  I  saw  the  first  wounded  of  my  regiment, 
A.  A.  Lewis,  of  Sampson  County,  and  Dr.  Grissom,  of 
Wake  County. 

June  25th  we  heard  frequent  cannonading— 30  per 
minute. 

Thursday,  June  26th,  I  was  sick  in  my  tent.  Be- 
fore day  I  heard  such  noise  as  I  had  never  heard  before. 
Everything  in  motion,  troops,  troops,  wagons,  wagons, 
artillery,  artillery.  Heard  cannons  from  5  p.  m.  to  6  p. 
m..,  30  per  minute ;  at  7  :30,  40  per  minute.  Too  unwell 
to  go  to  my  men.  Heard  constant  musketry.  Oh, 
that  I  could  be  there  to  comfort  the  wounded  and  dy- 
ing, and  to  encourage  the  fighting. 

Friday,  June  27th,  Dr.  Campbell  and  I  start  at  4 
a.  m.  to  try  to  join  our  regiment. 

At  Mechanicsville  we  saw  many  wounded,  and  at 

Mills,  many  dead  and  wounded.     Among  the  dead 

I  saw  the  handsome  form  of  my  noble  school-mate, 
James  A.  Wright,  of  Wilmington. 

Unable  to  reach  our  brigade  we  drop  back  through 
Ewell's  and  Stonewall  Jackson's  commands,  and  carry 
Captain  Drake  toward  our  old  camp.  Sleep  under  a 
tree.  Our  Regiment  lost  some  men — S.  Tedder,  A.  B. 
Hood  and  A.  F.  Steel  of  Mecklenburg. 

Sunday,  June  29th — Pray  in  camp,  and  pray  with 
them,  and  carry  Capt.  Drake  to  Richmond. 


9 

FIRST  LETTERS  OF  CONDOLENCE. 

Write  to  Mrs.  Tedder  and  Mrs.  Hood,  whose  hus- 
bands had  fallen. 

July  3rd — In  camp  sick.  Meet  Revs.  T.  J.  Gattis  and 
J.  C.  Brent  of  North  Carolina.  Learn  that  Bro.  E.  J. 
Grear  of  Company  "C,"  was  badly  wounded  and  cap- 
tured. He  had  left  his  pocket  book  containing  $42.21 
with  me.     I  wish  he  had  it  in  gold. 

July  4th — Once  a  National  Jubilee?  With  Brother 
Gattis  visit  Captains  Brooks  and  Stanley.  Visit  Chim- 
borazo  Hospital,  some  of  30th  Regiment,  Lieut.  Angus 
Shaw  of  38th  Regiment,  D.  Danf ord  of  Company  "C," 
and  others  at  Seabrook  Hospital.  See  Jos.  Mason's  left 
leg  cut  off  below  the  knee.  Brother  Gattis  spends 
night  with  me  in  camp. 

July  6th — Letter  from  wife ;  she  may  come  next 
Tuesday !  Walk,  walk,  walk,  visit  wounded  soldiers, 
Camp  Winder  and  other  Hospitals,  Thos.  Whitted  and 
Captain  Svkes  of  Bladen,  many  friends  and  many  poor 
strangers.  Some  will  live,  others  will  die.  Reach 
camp  late,  very  tired.     Cough  and  cold  very  bad. 

July  7th — Visit  Swift  Galloway  of  Brunswick, 
Daniel  McDugald  of  Cumberland,  J.  Mason,  etc.,  etc. 
A  telegram  from  Wilmington  says  Mrs.  Betts  is  on  her 
way.     God  bring  her  safely  ! 

July  8th — Wife  and  three  children  arrive.  Sister 
Galloway  comes  on  to  see  Swift.  About  8  p.  m.  my 
son  Willie  (under  5  years)  falls  from  his  grandpa's 
porch  six  or  seven  feet  and  cuts  his  head  fearfully  on  a 
brick. 

July  9th — Willie  is  doing  well.  McDugald  about 
to  die.  Lieut.  Shaw  very  low.  Swift  Galloway  doing 
well.     Visit  D.  H.  Neal.  Piper,  and  Horace  Morrison. 

July  11th — Rain  all  the  morning.  Walkout  through 
mud  to  camp,  and  find  regiment  returned  after  seven 
days  in  fighting  and  suffering.     Glad  to  see  Col.  Parker 


10 

once  more.     Return  weary  to  Pa's,  having  walked  nine 
and  rode  three  miles. 

Sunday,  July  13th — In  ramp.    Overtax  my  strength. 

July  14th — Feeble.     Visit  a  few  wounded. 

July  15th — Ride  to  camp  and  visit  my  sick.  Daniel 
McDugald,  my  school-mate  three  years  at  Summerville 
and  my  class-mate  three  years  at  Chapel  Hill,  has  died 
of  wounds. 

July  16th— Keep  close.  Suffer  with  cough.  Mar- 
ried Thos.  E.  Amos  and  Sarah  G.  Davis,  in  Clay  St. 
Church,  Richmond. 

July  17th — Find  Lieut.  Grier  at  Dunlop  and 
Moncure  Hospital,  badly  wounded.  Glad  to  see  the  good 
man.     Ride  to  camp  and  spend  night  on  ground. 

July  18th— Ride  to  Pa's.     Wife  and  I  visit  Lieut 
Shaw  and  find  him  dying.     One  of  the  noblest  men  I 
ever  knew.     We  visit  Lieut.  Grier. 

July  19th—  Walk  to  Camp  Winder  Hospital.  Ride 
to  camp  and  find  J.  J.  Wicker  dead.  Spend  night  in 
camp. 

July  20th — Preach  and  visit  sick.     Ride  to  Pa's  late. 

July  21 — Ride  to  camp  with  wife  and  children  and 
find  Capt.  D.  C.  Allen,  Lieutenant  Cain,  Sergeant  Ellis 
and  many  others  sick.  In  the  afternoon  visit  Leonard, 
Galloway,  Grier,  etc. 

July  22 — Ride  to  Mechanicsville  with  wife  and 
children.     Visit  battlefield.     Bury  A.  D.  McPherson. 

July  23 — Visit  Grier.  Last  visit.  He  dies  on  26  th. 
Get  permission  to  go  to  North  Carolina  with  sick  child. 

July  24 — Leave  Richmond  at  4  a.  m.  and  reach 
Wilmington  at  8  p.  m.  Spend  night  at  Mrs.  McCaleb's 
Hotel. 

July  25 — Steamer  North  Carolina  takes  us  to  White 
Hall. 

Sunday,  27 — Visit  Sunday  School  at  Bladen  Springs. 
Capt.  John  Barr  Andrews  died  at  Richmond,  Virginia, 
July  23,  1862.     He  was  the  first  person  to  whom  I  spoke 


11 

after  I  found  peace  with  God,  Oct.  15,  1853,  at  Univer- 
sity of  North  Carolina. 

July  28— Spend  day  with  Bro.  W.  A.  Savage.  Meet 
Rev.  D.  C.  Johnson,  his  pastor. 

July  29 — Ride  to  Elizabethtown.  Wife  spends  day 
with  old  Mrs.  McKay  on  her  farm.  Spend  the  night 
with  Mr.  Russ. 

July  31,  1862 — Wife  and  children  ride  with  me  to 
Wh  te  Hall.     Part  with  loved  ones,  to  meet ? 

Aug.  1,  1862,  A.  M.—  In  Wilmington.  Blue!  Blue! 
Leave  for  Richmond  at  2  p.  hi  ,  taking  a  lot  of  vegeta- 
bles for  S.  T.  Buie  &  Bro.,  18th  North  Carolina  Regi- 
ment. 

Aug.  2 — Miss  connection  at  Petersburg.  Get  to 
Richmond  at  6  p.  m.  and  hear  that  Lieutenant  Cain  is 
about  to  die  in  Camp  Winder  Hospital. 

Sunday,  Aug.  3,  1862 — Preach  in  the  morning. 
Hear  that  Lieut,  Cain  died  at  9  a.  m.  and  Lieut.  Pitt 
about  to  die.  Ride  anxiously  to  Hospital,  and  find  Pitt 
died  at  5  p.  m.     Return  to  Richmond  sad  at  9  p.  m. 

Aug.  4th— Spend  afternoon  visiting  my  sick  at 
Winder.  Look  at  Lieutenant  Cain  and  Pitt  for  the  last 
time.  Dine  at  Pa's  Write  to  Mary.  Visit  Brother 
Amos  and  wife,  Leonard  and  Lieut.  Galloway,  and 
reach  camp  late. 

Aug.  5 -Visit  Rev.  H.  G.  Hill,  Chaplain  13th 
Regiment.  Meet  Rev.  J.  Rumple  of  Salisbury  and  Rev. 
Van  Eaton.  Hear  Rumple  conclude  his  sermon,  and 
Van  Eaton  through  all  of  his.  Good  feeling  among 
soldiers. 

Aug.  6  —Visit  all  my  sick  at  Division  Hospital. 
Thence  to  Richmond.  Visit  Samuel  Wescott  and  Rev. 
W.  C.  Power,  Chaplain  14th  Regiment,  sick. 

Visit  my  many  sick  at  Winder.  Some  will  die. 
Return  late  to  camp. 

Aug.  7— Fever  all  day.  May  the  Lord  restore  me 
soon  so  that  I  may  administer  to  others. 


12 

Aug.  8 — Ride  early  to  Pa's  calling  at  three  Hos- 
pitals.   Fever  all  day.     Take  medicine  at  night. 

Aug.  8— Go  late  and  walk  to  camp. 

Sunday,  Aug.  10—  Hear  Rev.  Rumple  preach  to  4th 
Regiment.  A  poor  stranger  mustered  in  this  day  as  a 
substitute  for  Reams  of  Company  "G."  dies  very  sud- 
denly. He  called  himself  Wayne,  from  Alexandria, 
hut  a  discharge  for  Williams  was  found  in  his  pocket. 
Mysterious  and  sad !  Brother  Rumble  preached  a  good 
sermon  for  me  at  night. 

Aug.  13 — Visit  sick  at  Division  and  Winder  Hospital. 
Lieutenants  Davis,  Jackson  and  Johnson,  and  privates 
Jackson,  Jenkins,  Hester  and  Merritt  doing  well.  Mar- 
shall Teachy  will  hardly  live.  Lieutenant  McLeod 
hardly  can  recover.  Peter  Stanley  out  of  his  head, 
imagines  himself  on  Lockwood's  Folly.  Says  he  has 
seen  his  wife  and  children !  Perhaps  he  has.  Prays 
right  intelligently.  Poor  old  Mr.  Graham  will  hardly 
go  in  ranks  again.  My  private  roll  says:  Samuel  W. 
Graham,  born  in  Ireland,  was  living  in  Chatham  Coun- 
ty, North  Carolina,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  "H" 
September  23,  1861,  was  forty-six  years  old  and  left  two 
motherless  children.  He  died  next  day.  Scotland  and 
Ireland  furnished  several  good  soldiers  to  that  com- 
pany. Dennis  Carr  and  Andrew  McFarland  were  born 
in  Ireland.  James  Rogers,  William  McCulloch  and  A. 
D.  McGill  were  born  in  Scotland.  McCulloch  was 
thirty-seven  when  he  enlisted,  and  left  two  motherless 
children  when  he  was  lost,  or  reported  "missing"; 
McGill  was  nineteen.  He  has  lived  to  be  a  blessing  to 
North  Carolina.  He  has  been  heard  in  the  halls  of  her 
Legislature.  Graham  seemed  to  know  me  the  day  be- 
fore he  died.  Teachy  called  me  "Brother  Betts,"  as 
usual  though  he  had  recognized  no  one  for  some  days. 
Died  August  14,  1862,  leaving  a  wife  and  five  children. 
After  supper  I  call  to  see  Revs.  L.  and  B.  Culbreth,  A. 
Maxwell  and  D.  Ray  at  Hotel.    ( Love  and  Blackman  Cul- 


13 

breth  were  brothers,  local  preachers,  raised  in  Sampson 
County,  North  Carolina.  Blackrnan  died  early.  Love, 
a  sweet  singer  and  a  fine  preacher,  had  given  a  son  to 
the  North  Carolina  Conference  in  1859,  and  lived  till 
1896.)  Return  to  Pa's  by  moonlight,  praying  and  med- 
itating, and  receive  a  blessing  on  my  soul. 

Aug.  14th — Go  to  Female  Institute  Hospital  and 
find  no  entry  of  the  name  of  my  Brother  Grier,  who 
died  there  during  my  visit  to  North  Carolina.  Find 
his  valise,  etc.  Will  send  his  brother  for  it.  Col.  May, 
of  Georgia,  says  Brother  Grier  died  between  midnight 
and  day,  July  26,  no  one  knowing  when  he  died.  Holy 
angels  knew. 

Aug.  15  —  Ride  to  see  Regimental  Work  Squad 
with  Chaplains  Long,  Moore  and  Hill. 

Aug.  16 — Morning  in  camp.  Supper  in  Richmond, 
and  return  and  hear  Brother  J.  G.  Barkley  preach. 
(This  dear  man  raised  his  children  in  Nash  county, 
North  Carolina,  and  lived  to  be  very  old.  Died  April 
16,  1896.  He  said  to  me  in  his  house  in  1887  or  1888 : 
"Brother  Betts,  the  happiest  day  in  my  life  was  one 
day  in  1840,  when  I  saw  my  oldest  daughter  marry  a 
young  man  and  start  to  Africa ! ' '  Glory  to  God  for 
such  religion ! ) 

Sunday,  Aug.  17 — Brother  Barkley  preaches  in 
morning  and  I  in  evening.     Receive  marching  orders. 

Aug.  19 — Rise  at  4  with  orders  to  march  to  Gor- 
donsville.  Leave  some  sick  in  camp.  Others,  not  able 
to  march,  start  and  have  to  fall  out.  Division  passes 
through  Richmond.  I  stop  and  buy  flannel  and  over- 
take regiment  six  and  one-half  miles  out.  Sleep  on 
ground. 

Aug.  20— Rise  at  4  and  march.  Night  at  Taylors- 
ville.  At  10  at  night  brigade  called  to  arms  and 
marched  off — weary,  weary.  I  remain  on  the  ground 
praying  for  our  soldiers. 


14 

Aug.  21 — Threatened  with  jaundice.  -    Take  medi- 
cine. 

•  Aug.  24 — Dark  and  damp.  One  year  ago  today,  my 
dear  little  Eddie  was  cold  in  death  in  parsonage  in 
Smithville  (Soathport),  North  Carolina,  and  I  was  al- 
most dead.     I  preached  on  "Samaritan." 

August  25,  1862 — My  birthday !  Thirty  years  old ! 
And  yet  how  little  knowledge  I  have  acquired  !  How 
little  grace  !  How  little  good  have  I  done  !  God  help 
me  in  time  to  come !  Get  marching  orders  at  nine  at 
night. 

Aug.  26 — Long  hard  march  on  our  men. 

Aug.  29 — Called  at  C.  H.  and  wrote  to  wife. 
Camped  at  Rapidan.     I  slept  under  a  wagon. 

Aug.  30 — Men  wade  Rapidan,  and  I  drink  of  it. 
Pass  Cedar  Run,  where  there  had  been  a  hard  fight 
August  9.  Robert  Henderson,  a  venerable  old  man, 
had  been  arrested.  As  our  men  passed  his  gate  he  said 
with  tears,  "God  preserve  you,  my  boys!"  Pass  Cul- 
pepper C.  H.  Town  and  country  around  desolated  by 
war.     Sick  and  wounded  Federals  in  town. 

Aug.  31 — It  began  to  rain  before  day.  Just  then 
we  received  orders,  "Be  ready  to  move  at  a  moments' 
warning."  We  needed  rest,  and  were  hoping  we  could 
enjoy  that  Sabbath  in  the  woods.  As  I  leaped  from 
my  blanket  and  started  to  find  my  horse,  I  began  to 
sing,  not  knowing  what.  As  I  heard  "Happy  people 
over  yonder,  where  they  rest  forever  more,"  my  heart 
melted  with  joy.  I  was  then  a  '  happy"  man.  (The  thir- 
ty-four years  and  nineteen  days  since  that  dark  morn- 
ing have  brought  me  nearer  to  the  "happy  people  over 
yonder"  and  greatly  increased  their  number.)  March 
all  day.  Muddy  to  "Muddy  Run."  Pass  Warrenton 
Sulphur  Springs,  lovely,  blighted  village. 

September  1,  1862 — Pass  Warrenton.  Rainy,  cold 
night. 

Sept.  2 — Pass  down  to  Groveton,  where  fearful  fight- 


15 

ing  was  done  last  week,  August  28,  29  and  30.  Horrid 
scenes !  Many  dead  Federals  still  on  the  field,  though 
a  squad  of  their  men,  under  flag  of  truce,  has  been 
some  days  caring  for  wounded  and  burying  dead. 

I  found  a  wounded  Federal  sitting  on  the  field — a 
broken  thigh,  a  rifle  ball  through  his  arm  and  a  bruised 
shoulder  made  him  right  helpless.  His  undressed 
wounds  were  sore.  He  asked  me  if  I  thought  our  surgeons 
would  care  for  him.  I  assurred  him  they  would.  He 
said  he  had  a  wife  and  two  little  children  in  his  north- 
ern home.  His  parents  were  pious  and  had  raised  him 
piously,  but  he  had  neglected  his  own  soul,  I  said : 
"Brother,  Jesus  loves  you.  You  came  down  here  to 
kill  my  brothers,  but  I  love  you."  He  broke  down 
and  sobbed  aloud:  "You  don't  talk  like  one  man  that 
came  here.  He  upbraided  me."  He  told  me  our  men 
had  been  very  good  to  him  during  the  three  or  four 
days  he  had  been  there.  As  one  hurried  by  he  would 
give  him  water  and  food,  and  raise  him  up  to  rest  cer- 
tain tired  muscles.  Another  would  stop  to  give  him 
more  food  and  water  and  lay  him  down. 

They  had  just  taken  the  last  Confederate  wounded 
from  that  part  of  the  field.  He  was  on  the  surgeon's 
table  a  few  yards  away.  I  trust  this  Federal  was  soon 
taken  to  that  table.  As  I  was  about  to  hurry  away  to 
overtake  my  regiment  he  asked  me  to  lay  him  down ! 
How  could  I  ?  Where  could  I  take  hold  ?  I  did  the 
best  I  could.  As  I  took  him  by  the  hand  and  commend- 
ed him  to  God,  I  think  my  heart  was  as  tender  as  it 
ever  was.  His  bones  may  be  in  that  field  now.  I  hope 
to  meet  his  soul  in  Heaven  in  a  few  years.  Hurry  on 
ten  miles  and  overtake  our  regiment.     Sleep  cold  and 

take  cold.     Frost  next  morning. 

Sep.  3,  1862 — Pass  Leesburg.  Call  at  a  farm  house 
to  buy  corn.  A  Union  woman  upbraids  me.  See  Sugar 
Loaf  Mountain  in  Maryland. 

Sep.  4 — Dine  with  Mrs.  Sanders  in  Leesburg.  She 
is  the  mother-in-law  of  Rev.  W.  G.  Cross. 


16 

Sep.  5 — March  all  day.  Call  and  buy  eggs  and 
butter  from  a  man  in  Morrison ville,  for  which  he  would 
receive  no  pay. 

September  6 — Turn  and  march  down  the  river, 
and  camp  near  Cheek's  Ford. 

Sunday,  Sep.  7 — Cross  Potomac  while  the  bands  are 
playing  "Maryland !  My  Maryland."  Some  cross  the 
River  of  Death  next  Sunday. 

Sep.  9 — Ride  to  Frederick  City  and  return.  Its 
population  is  9,000  or  10,000. 

Sep.  10 — Whole  army  in  motion.  Dine  at  Mr. 
Fitzhugh's  in  Frederick  City.  Lovely  family.  Mr. 
Jones,  next  door.  Meet  Rev.  Auguste,  Chaplain  15th 
Virginia  Regiment,  Joseph  Shawen,  a  good  Southern 
Methodist,  Col.  Henson,  President  of  the  County  Bank, 
aged  and  venerable  (but  had  been  arrested  by  the 
Federals),  and  Rev.  Mr.  Ross,  a  Presbyterian.  Spend 
the  night  with  Colonel  Carmack  in  Frederick  City. 
Strong  Southern  feeling  among  these  good  people. 

Sep.  11,  1862 — Having  been  very  feeble  for  two  or 
three  days  I  spend  a  day  at  Colonel  Carmack 's.  Brigade 
passed  at  8  a.  m.  At  2 :  30  I  go  on  and  stop  at  Boons- 
boro  with  Dr  Josiah  Smith.  Strong  intelligent  South- 
ern feeling. 

Sep.  14 — Our  Brigade  goes  out  at  4 :  30  a.  m.  My 
horse  being  lame,  I  cannot  go.  General  Garland  is 
brought  to  his  tent  dead.  I  go  to  see  him.  A  few  days 
ago  I  saw  him  under  different  circumstances  that  will 
make  me  admire  him  forever.  His  Brigade  was  cross- 
ing a  stream  on  a  narrow  footway.  His  men  began  to 
plunge  into  the  little  stream,  up  to  their  knees.  He 
knew  it  would  be  bad  for  them  to  march  with  wet  feet. 
He  drew  up  his  fiery  horse  in  the  road  in  the  water  and 
stayed  there  till  his  entire  command  had  passed,  point- 
ing to  the  narrow  bridge  and  shouting  to  the  men, 
compelling  them  to  take  time  and  go  over  in  single  file. 
That  manly  form  now  lies  before  me  silent  but  "speak- 


17 

ing."  Hear  Captain  Wicker  is  wounded.  At  midnight 
wagons  move  circuitously  to  Williamsport.  I  start  to 
my  regiment  and  find  everybody  moving  silently. 
Coming  near  Boonsboro,  I  feel  lonely  as  I  see  not  a 
form  on  the  pike.  Enter  town  and  see  Division  after 
Division  passing  toward  the  west. 

Monday,  Sep.  15,  1862 — Regiment  rest  in  field  at  7 
a.  m.  They  need  rest.  Yesterday  was  a  busy  day  and 
last  night  gave  us  rest.  Cross  Antietam  Creek  and 
make  a  si  and  on  hill  adjacent.  An  occasional  artillery 
shot  occupies  the  evening.  Men  in  arms.  I  spent  night 
with  ambulances  on  vacant  lot  in  Sharpsburg. 

Sep.  16 — Artillery  begins  at  8:30  a.  m.  After  11 
firing  ceases.  We  move  our  Brigade  Hospital  two  miles 
in  the  rear. 

Sep.  17 — Very  heavy  firing  in  morning.  Wounded 
coming  in.  God  help  our  men  to  fight !  Have  mercy 
on  those  who  are  to  die  !  At  noon  Colonel  Parker  and 
Adjutant  Phillips  come  wounded.  A  rifle  ball  passed 
over  Colonel  Parker's  head,  cutting  away  a  narrow 
strip  of  skin  and  plowing  a  nice  little  furrow  in  the 
skull,  leaving  the  membrane  that  covers  the  brain  vis- 
ible but  uninjured.  What  a  narrow  escape !  Fierce 
contest  all  day.  Lieutenant  Rogers  killed  (Co.  D), 
Sergeant  Edwards  killed  (Co.  C),  Colonel  Tew,  of  2nd 
Regiment,  was  killed  also.  Lieut.  Duncan  E.  McNair, 
of  Robeson,  my  classmate  for  many  years,  was  killed, 
leaving  a  wife  and  child.  Our  regiment  lost  a  number 
of  brave  men  at  Sharpsburg ;  some  killed,  others  mor- 
tally wounded. 

Sep.  18 — No  fighting.  I  visit  Colonel  Parker  and 
ride  over  to  Sharpsburg  and  see  how  the  town  had  been 
shelled.  Rainy,  damp  night.  Wake  up  at  midnight 
and  find  everything  moving  to  the  rear. 

Sep.  19 — Before  day  we  drink  our  coffee  and  ride  to 
the  Potomac,  leaving  Drs.  Gregory  and  Lawson  and  a 
few  wounded  and  sick.     Though  troops  and  wagons 


18 

have  been  passing  all  night,  still  the  roads  and  fields 
were  full.  Ram !  Jam !  Wagons  and  ambulances 
turned  over !  One  man  was  killed  by  the  overturning 
of  an  ambulance.  Cross  at  daybreak.  Yesterday  I 
bathed  in  this  stream.  Today  dead  bodies  will  be  bath- 
ing in  it.  Pass  three  miles  back  to  division  wagon 
train  and  stop  to  rest.  Shelling  begins  on  river  at  9  :  30 
a.  m.  Division  moves  in  afternoon  and  spends  night 
one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Shepardstown.  See  Cap- 
tain Baskerville  going  home,  and  write  to  wife. 

Sep.  20 — Fierce  cannonading  from  10  to  11.  Still 
as  death  from  1  to  2.  While  troops  are  in  line  of  battle 
I  visit  five  wounded  men  at  house  of  William  Golden- 
banger.  Col.  W.  J.  McGill  lost  his  left  arm.  He  has  a 
wife  and  three  children.  Trusts  in  God.  John  C. 
McMahon,  of  Mississippi,  Caohoma  county,  was  with 
Walker  in  Nicaragua,  passed  safely  many  perils  in 
many  places,  and  was  wounded  in  the  arm  and  side  at 
Sharpsburg,  and  at  last  turned  over  in  the  ambulance 
in  which  the  man  was  killed  two  days  ago.  He  is  well 
bred  and  po)ite  and  confesses  his  sinfulness.  Did  he 
ever  get  back  to  his  native  home  and  see  his  venerable 
father,  Rev.  Win.  McMahon? 

Sep.  21 — Hear  Rev.  A.  A.  Watson,  chaplain  2nd 
Regiment,  preach.    Write  to  Mary  by  Mr.  Van  Bokelin. 

Sep.  22— Ride  to  the  wagons  to  rest.  Five  years 
ago  this  afternoon  my  second  son,  Willie,  was  born. 
God  bless  him  and  spare  us  to  see  each  other.  Ride 
to  Martinsburg  in  afternoon.  Lie  beside  my  horse  at 
night,  gazing  at  the  stars  and  thinking  of  Mary  and 
my  little  ones.  "What  is  man,  that  Thou  art  mindful 
of  him?" 

Sep.  23— Visit  18th  and  28th  Regiments. 

Sep.  25 — Dine  with  Harry  Thomas,  near  Martins- 
burg, a  thrifty  farmer,  fine-looking,  genial  gentleman. 
I  met  Mr.  Thomas  afterwards  in  another  section  and 
greeted  him  as  such.    He  looked  at  me  as  if  he  did  not 


10 

remember  me.  I  gave  him  my  name  and  said :  "Is  this 
Mr.  Harry  Thomas?"  He  said:  "No,  it  is  his  brother 
Jack."  I  told  him  I  had  met  his  brother  and  was  glad 
to  meet  him.  Some  time  after  I  met  Mr.  Thomas  and 
called  him  Thomas.  He  evidently  did  not  remember 
me.  I  quickly  asked  him  if  he  was  Mr.  Harry  or  Jack. 
He  said  it  was  neither,  but  their  brother  Jake  !  I  wish 
I  could  see  the  three  together. 

Sunday,  Sep.  28,  1862 — Preach  in  camp. 

Sep.  29 — Ride  to  Winchester  with  sick  men.  Meet 
Captain  Drake  and  Captain  Witherspoon  on  road  with 
mail.  Get  letter  from  wife.  Little  Mary  quite  ill  on 
12th.  May  now  be  in  Heaven.  Father,  into  thy  hands  . 
I  commend  my  child.  Stop  with  Rev.  W,  G.  Eggles- 
ton,  P.  E.  of  this  District  of  the  Baltimore  Conference. 
Lately  lost  his  wife.     Has  a  family  of  children. 

Sep.  30. — Ride  to  camp  and  carry  Brigade  mail. 
Meet  Rev.  J.  A.  Robbins,  a  schoolmate,  now  from 
Georgia. 

October  1, 1862 — Carry  sundry  letters  to  their  places. 
Receive  pay  for  July  and  August. 

Oct.  3 — Hear  from  wife,  at  Chapel  Hill.  Babe  is 
better.  She  went  from  Bladen  to  Chapel  Hill  with 
three  children  and  a  nurse  (about  one  hundred  miles) 
by  private  conveyance. 

Sunday,  Oct.  5— Preach  to  a  large,  attentive  au- 
dience.    Fine  day.     Bright  night. 

Oct.  6 — Pay  Captain  Allen  my  mess  bill  for  May, 
June  and  July. 

Oct.  7 — Ride  to  Winchester  in  ambulance  with  the 
sick.  Visit  E.  Fletcher  Bobbitt  at  Academy  Hospital. 
Last  interview  with  a  lovely  man.  Brother  of  Rev. 
Drs.  W.  H.  and  J.  B.  Bobbitt  of  the  North  Carolina 
Conference.  Left  his  family  in  Warren  county.  Joined 
army  in  May  '62,  and  died  in  Richmond,  October  23, 
1862.  Roster  says  1863  ;  but  my  book  is  right.  I  never 
can  forget  how  tenderly  he  spoke  of  his  wife,  saying  he 


20 

did  not  know  how  to  appreciate  her  till  the  war  took 
him  froni  her.  Carry  Rev.  Vaughn,  chaplain  of  3rd 
Regiment,  to  camp. 

Oct.  8— Walk  five  miles  with  J.  W.  Ellis  as  he 
starts  to  North  Carolina  as  Senator.  This  Christian 
gentleman,  a  lawyer  of  Columbus  county,  enlisted  in 
Co.  E  as  a  private,  August  28,  1861.  His  friends  elected 
him  to  the  North  Carolina  Senate  in  1862.  He  had  a 
walk  of  about  ninety  miles  to  Staunton,  the  railroad 
track  having  been  torn  up.  I  put  his  knapsack  on  my 
horse  and  claimed  the  pleasure  of  walking  a  few  miles 
with  him. 

Oct.  12 — Preach  in  morning.  Captain  Atwell  died 
at  Shepardstown. 

Oct.  14 — Tiresome  ride  to  Shepardstown  to  see 
wounded  men,  Hathaway,  Brown,  Dement  and  Lieu- 
tenant Crews.  A  minie  ball  passed  through  his  chest 
at  Sharpsburg.  CI  had  no  idea  he  could  live;  but  in 
1870  and  1871  I  was  his  pastor  at  Oxford. )  Spend  night 
at  Hon.  Alex.  Boteler's.  Go  to  see  Captain  Osborn  at 
Shepardstown.  Among  the  brave  men  left  at  Shepards- 
town, too  badly  wounded  at  Sharpsburg  to  be  taken 
any  distance,  was  Col.  W.  L.  DeRossett,  of  Wilming- 
ton, North  Carolina.  I  there  first  met  him  and  his 
venerable  father,  Dr.  A.  J.  DeRossett.  (The  Colonel 
lived  a  cripple  for  life,  was  largely  useful,  and  raised 
an  interesting  family.  The  father  lived  to  extreme  old 
age  and  died  in  1897.)  Get  Lieutenant  Harrell's  sword. 
George  K.  Harrell  was  wounded  at  Sharpsburg,  but  re- 
turned to  duty  and  carried  that  sword  till  he  was  killed, 
May  12,  1864.  See  Colonel  McGill  at  house  of  Dr. 
Lucas,  two  and  a  half  miles  out.     His  wife  is  with  him. 

Oct.  17 — Ready  to  march  before  day.  Rev.  Power, 
of  14th  Regiment,  arrives. 

Oct.  19 — Preach  to  a  small  congregation.  Major 
General  D.  H.  Hill  a  devout  hearer.  A.  R.  McDonald, 
of  Moore  county  arrives,  and  spends  night  with  me. 


21 

Oct.  21 — Captain  Witherspoon  and  I  ride  to  Win- 
chester. He  meets  Mrs.  R.  H.  Apperson  at  hotel  in 
trouble.  She  rides  in  ambulance  to  near  Whitehall, 
and  thence  on  saddle  to  Mr.  Zephaniah  Silver's  and 
finds  her  husband  convalescent.  Happy  soldier !  Happy 
wife !  Silver  family  so  nice  and  kind.  Two  sons  in 
our  army. 

Oct.  22 — Ride  with  Captain  Apperson  to  our  camp. 
Bury  Sergeant  Cornelius  Savage  of  Company  E. 

Oct.  24 — Fail  to  get  clothing  which  I  much  need. 
Get  marching  orders. 

Oct.  25 — Division  moves  and  begins  to  tear  up  track 
of  W  and  Harper's  Ferry  R.  R.  Our  Brigade  operates 
on  track  below  Charlestown  during  the  night  in  a  cold 
rain. 

Sunday,  Oct.  26 — Cool  rain.  Sit  till  noon  under 
tent  in  front  of  fire.  Brigades  of  troops  passing  to  and 
fro  through  rain.  Men  suffer.  Very  cool  rain  and 
wind  all  night.     Large  fire  in  front  of  tent  all  night. 

Oct.  27 — Brigade  goes  off  to  tear  up  railroad  track. 
Revs.  Power,  Long  and  I  go  to  Charlestown  and  ride 
on  the  spot  of  John  Brown's  execution,  and  see  the 
prison  in  which  he  was  confined.    Lovely  little  town. 

Oct.  31,  1862 — Cross  Shenandoah  river  at  Berry's 
Ferry.     Men  wade.     Cross  mountain  at  Ashby's  Gap. 

Nov.  1 — Bro.  Power  and  I  walk  up  the  mountain 
and  spend  two  or  three  hours.  Fine  view.  Pray  to- 
gether up  there. 

Nov.  2 — Bro.  Power  begins  to  preach  at  10 :  30,  but 
troops  are  ordered  out  and  fall  back  toward  Paris  and 
lie  in  line  of  battle  all  night. 

Nov.  5 — Brigade  in  camp  near  Fort  Royal.  Call 
on  Rev.  Dr.  Hough,  pastor  of  M.  E.  Church,  South. 
Lovely  man  and  wife. 

Nov.  6 — Hoarse  and  feeble.  Bad  cold.  Move  across 
river  after  night.    Very  cold.     Men  wade  and  walk  a 


22 

mile  to  camp,  some  without  shoes.     Water  freezes  by 
my  side  as  I  lie  on  the  ground. 

Nov.  7 — Snow  begins  to  fall  at  10  a.  m,  Bad  day 
on  bare  feet. 

Nov.  8 — General  Hill  calls  for  volunteers  to  render 
daring,  dangerous  service  for  two  or  three  days.  We 
have  prayers  at  our  fire. 

Nov.  9 — Division  moves  to  Strasburg.  Barefoot 
men  march  in  snow.  Bury  H.  Y.  Kirkpatrick  at  night 
in  Presbyterian  cemetery.  He  enlisted  at  nineteen, 
from  Mecklenburg  county.  Lovely  Christian.  Died  in 
the  house  of  Mrs.  Davis,  November  8th,  10 :  30  p.  m. 
How  sad  the  sight !  How  tenderly  a  few  of  his  com- 
rades raked  away  the  snow,  dug  the  grave  and  laid  the 
noble  youth  away !  The  chaplain's  prayer  is  that  he 
and  they  may  meet  him  on  the  Resurrection  Day. 

Nov.  11 — Brigade  moves  six  or  seven  miles  and 
tears  up  railroad  track  at  night. 

Nov.  12 — Hear  Bro.  Moore  preach  in  his  camp. 

Nov.  13 — Bro.  Power  and  I  ride  to  Strasburg  and 
visit  hospitals,  and  see  Robt.  L.  White  die.  A  Christ- 
ian.    New  Testament  in  his  bosom. 

Nov.  14 — Visit  sick  at  hospitals  in  Strasburg. 

Nov.  15 — I  walk  out  to  studv  my  Bible.  Wash  day 
in  2nd  Regiment.  Bank  of  branch  lined  some  distance 
with  men  half  naked,  some  washing  pants  and  drawers, 
others  washing  shirts  and  some  picking  their  clothing. 
Some  half  naked  holding  their  wet  clothes  to  the  fire  to 
dry.  Sad  sight !  Would  make  wives,  mothers  and 
sisters  weep. 

Sunday,  Nov.  16 — Inspection  in  morning.  I  preach 
in  afternoon,  and  Bro.  Power  and  I  deliver  the  Holy 
Communion  to  twenty  persons.  At  night  Dr.  Garrett 
and  Dr.  Smith,  who  could  not  be  present  in  the  after- 
noon, receive  it  in  my  tent,  Dean,  a  negro  servant,  also. 

Nov.  17 — Division  moves  and  camps  six  miles  from 


23 

Strasburg.    Visit  sick  at  hospitals,  one  man  dying,  no 
one  knows  who  or  where  from. 

GETTING  A  FURLOUGH. 

Nov.  18 — As  my  Conference  was  to  meet  in  Raleigh 
December  3, 1  had  made  application  for  leave  of  absence 
and  my  furlough  had'not  come.  So  I  get  duplicate  and 
take  it  to  officers  myself.  Leave  General  Hill  at  2  :  45 
p.m.,  ride  ten  and  a  half  miles  to  General  Jackson's 
headquarters,  get  my  paper  signed,  return  late.  My 
first  papers  came  to  hand  ten  or  twenty  minutes  after 
I  left. 

Nov.  19 — In  camp.  Moses  Ezzell  very  ill.  Prayer 
meeting  at  night. 

GETTING  HOME  !      FIVE  DAYS  ! 

Nov.  20 — Sixjmiles  on  saddle,  twelve  on  wagon,  five 
on  foot. 

Nov.  21 — Wagon  and  ambulance  to  Mt.  Crawford- 
Spend  night  in  Baptist  church  with  fifty  or  sixty  sick 
men.  Pray  with  them.  All  seem  to  feel.  Many  happy. 
Almost  all  of  them  Christians. 

Nov.  22 — Take  stage  at  3  a.  m.  Pass  Willow  Pump 
— a  curiosity.  Some  one  had  planted  a  willow  post  near 
a  gate  on  the  roadside  to  discharge  the  Twater  from  an 
underground  pipe,  the  willow  sprouted,  made  quite  a 
tree  and  still  discharged  the  water.  Such  a  blessing  to 
thirsty  soldiers.  Take  cars  to  Staunton  and  reach 
Richmond. 

Nov.  23 — Miss  Wilmington  train  at  Weldon  and  go 
on  to  Raleigh.  Hear  sermon  at  M.  E.  church  and  greet 
several  friends  warmly.  Call  on  Mrs.  Seaton  Gales  and 
pay  her  $250  from  her  husband.  Lovely  woman.  Chil- 
dren all  sick  with  scarlet  fever,  and  her  husband  far 
away,     Sleep  on  parlor  floor  in  W.  T.  Bain's  hotel. 

Nov.  24 — Pass  Goldsboro  and  Wilmington.  Leave 
cars  at  Brinkley's.    Walk  to  Dr.  Buie's.    He  gives  me 


24 

buggy  to  Oapt.  Jo.  Green's.     He  gives  me  a  good  horse 
and  saddle  to  D.  D.  Allen's. 

Nov.  25 — Bro.  Allen  sends  me  in  buggy,  and  I  see 
my  family  once  more.  All  well.  Thank  God !  Fever 
from  vaccination  makes  me  delirious  during  night. 
Had  not  seen  family  since  July  31.  In  going  home 
from  the  army  I  met  Lieut.  E.  Ruark,  of  Co.  O.  on  his 
way  home  at  Smith ville,  on  sick  furlough.  We  sat  to- 
gether for  many,  many  miles,  and  parted  at  Wilming- 
ton. He  went  home  and  died  of  smallpox,  spreading  it 
and  killing  his  mother  and  others.  Narrow  escape  for 
me  and  mine.     Neither  of  us  thought  of  the  danger. 

Nov.  29 — Preach  at  Bladen  Springs. 

GETTING  TO  CONFERENCE. 

Dec.  3,  1862 — Start  to  Raleigh,  about  ninety  miles, 
taking  wife,  three  children  and  a  nurse.  Rain  all  day. 
Spend  night  with  Bro.  Sykes. 

Dec.  4 — Pass  Fayetteville.  Spend  night  with  J.  H. 
Hawley,  one  of  the  best  men  I  ever  knew. 

Dec.  5 — Rain  all  day.  Spend  night  with  Allen 
Betts,  my  brother. 

Dec.  6 — Clear  and  cold.  Ride  to  Alvin  Betts,  my 
brother. 

Dec.  7 — Hear  Bishop  Early  preach  in  Raleigh. 

Dec.  8 — Day  in  Conference.  A  letter  from  Uncle 
Foster  Utley,  Chapel  Hill,  leads  me  to  send  my  family 
to  that  place. 

Dec.  9 — Send  family  on  cars  to  Chapel  Hill,  while  I 
turn  my  face  towards  Bladen  alone.  After  four  days 
of  lonely  riding  I  reach  my  wife's  boarding  place  and 
pack  books  and  clothes,  and  take  Steamer  Hurt  for 
Fayetteville.  Pay  Jo.  Russ  ten  dollars  to  take  my  car- 
riage to  Fayetteville. 

Dec.  13 — Meet  James  Marley  Smith,  and  go  with 
him  to  his  farm. 

Sunday,  Dec.  14 — Hear  Bro.  J.  D.  Buie  preach  at 


25 

Fayetteville.    Night  at  hotel.     I  have  had  fever  for 
last  three  days. 

Dec.  15 — Take  cars  to  Egypt.  Find  no  horse  there 
for  me.  Walk  about  ten  miles,  and  ride  on  a  mule-cart 
about  the  same  distance  and  reach  Pittsboro.  Sup  with 
John  Womach.  He  sends  me  to  Ohapel  Hill,  eighteen 
miles,  on  a  mule-cart.     Get  there  at  7  a.  m. 

Dec.  17— Chill  at  night. 

Dec.  18— Chill  in  the  afternoon.     In  bed  till  22d. 

Sunday,  Dec.  28— Preach  in  M.  E.  Church. 

1863.      THA.NK  GOD  ! 

Cut  wood  two  or  three  days.     Hard  work. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Jenkins  arrives  on  Saturday,  Jan.  3.  I 
attend  Masonic  meeting. 

Jan.  4 — Hear  Bro.  Jenkins  preach  in  morning. 
Spend  afternoon  reading  my  Greek  Testament. 

Jan.  5— Get  ready  to  start  to  Virginia.  At  eleven 
at  night  I  leave,  the  moon  shining  bright,  but  my 
spirits  being  sad.     Luter  takes  me  to  Durham. 

Jan.  6 — Reach  Raleigh  and  draw  pay  for  November 
and  December,  1862.     Night  at  Bain's  Hotel. 

Jan.  7 — Leave  Raleigh  at  day.  Meet  Rev.  M.  J. 
Hunt  and  Dr.  Smith  on  train.  Meet  Dr.  J.  S.  Robinson 
on  his  way  to  Virginia.  Miss  train  at  Petersburg. 
Spend  night  with  my  cousin,  Grey  Utley,  of  Chapel 
Hill,  at  his  boarding  house. 

Jan.  8 — Reach  Richmond  and  find  Lieuts.  Carr  and 
Swain  sick  there. 

Jan.  9 — Snow  on  ground.  Capt.  Collins  and  I  go  on 
to  Guinea  Station,  and  thence  to  our  regiment.  Meet 
Rev.  F.  M.  Kennedy,  of  the  South  Carolina  Conference, 
on  his  way  to  report  for  duty  as  Chaplain  for  28th 
North  Carolina  Regiment,  now  in  General  Lee's  army. 

Sun.  Jan.  1 1 — Preach  twice.  Damp,  cold  weather. 
Sleeping  on  ground  gives  me  bad  cold. 

Jan.  16— J.  B.  Williams,  of  Co.  "C,"  dies  at  6  a.  m., 


26 

suddenly.  Bury  him.  at  6  p.  m.  Turns  very  cold.  Slept 
in  a  dark  barn  last  night.     Where  tonight?    In  a  wagon. 

Sun.  18 — Preach  in  cold  wind. 

Jan.  19 — Go  to  Richmond.  Too  late  for  express. 
I  mail  official  papers  to  Raleigh  for  Capt.  Collins. 

Jan.  20  -Busy  all  day.  Buy  some  things  for  Reg- 
iment.   Visit  Congress.     Write  to  wife. 

Jan.  21 — Visit  Richard  Lloyd.  Rain.  Fall  on  box 
and  bruise  right  thigh.  Fire  at  night.  Fall  in  street 
and  bruise  left  knee  badly. 

Jan.  22 — Ship  sundry  boxes  to  Regiment.  Quite 
lame  from  yesterday's  falls. 

Jan.  23 — Leave  early  for  Guinea.  Reach  camp  late. 
Mud!  Mud! 

Jan.  24,  1862— Met  Rev.  J.  W.  Ward,  Missionary 
Baptist,  3rd  Va.  Infantry;  Rev.  W.  E.  Walters, 
Jenkins  S.  C,  Brigade. 

Sunday  Jan.  25. — Hear  Bro.  Barkley  of  Nash  county, 
N.  C,  preach  to  my  regiment  in  a.  m.,  Bro.  Power  in 
p.  m.,  and  at  wagon  yard  at  night. 

Jan.  26— Ride  to  Divison  Surgeon  for  W.  H.  Westcott 
of  Smithville.  That  must  have  been  the  last  I  saw  of 
that  noble  boy.  He  was  dying  of  chronic  diarrhoea. 
He  got  as  far  as  Wilmington,  where  he  died!" Feb, 
28,  1864.  His  good  father  and  mother  were  my  friends. 
Glad  I  put  up  my  tent  on  26,  for  it  snows  all  day  on  28. 

Jan.  29 — Men  very  cheerful,  though  the  snow  is 
nearly  knee  deep. 

Sunday  February  1 — Preach  in  camp.  Visit  our 
regiment  on  picket  about  three  miles  away.  Rain  at 
night. 

February  2 — Seven  years  ago !  My  first  son,  Henry 
Watson,  was  born  in  Mrs.  Meade's  Hotel,  Martinsville, 
Va.  That  morning  I  knelt  silently  upon  the  floor  in  my 
wife's  room  and  prayed  and  wept  when  I  first  felt  par- 


27 

ental  responsibility.  God  bless  my  boy  today  !  Seven 
years  old !  May  he  spend  many  useful,  happy  years  on 
earth  and  get  safe  to  Heaven !  God  bless  the  mother  to- 
day, and  Willie  and  Mamie.  My  dear  sainted  Eddie ! 
Safe  in  Heaven !  Your  father  hopes  to  embrace  you  by- 
and-by  in  your  angel  home.  Wrote  to  wife  and  Mrs. 
Meade. 

Feb.  3 — Exceedingly  cold. 

Feb.  4 — Still  very  cold.     Freezes  my  ink 

Feb.  5 — Snow  begins  falling  early  and  falls  steadily. 

Feb.  6 — Ride  four  miles  in  rain,  hunting  a  cabin 
for  Jack  Faircloth,  Co.  A.,  who  is  very  sick  and  weak. 
He  will  die. 

Feb.  7 — Send  to  Gen.  Rodes  for  brigade  to  be 
allowed  to  go  to  church  on  Sunday. 

Feb.  8 — Bright  day.  Preach  to  a  large,  attentive 
congregation  in  Baptist  church.  Bros.  Power  and  Thig- 
pen  assist  in  communion.  Precious  season !  Hear  from 
wife  and  Bro.  Hunt. 

Feb.  9 — Much  indisposed. 

Feb.  10 — Visit  Brigade  Hospital  established  yester- 
day. Pray  with  patients  and  Dr.  Guffy.  Poor  Faircloth 
says  he  loves  Jesus  because  He  loved  him.  I,  this  morn- 
ing, finished  my  fifth  annual  reading  through  the  Bible. 
On  Sampson  Circuit,  1857,  I  went  the  first  time  reg- 
ularly through  this  Holy  Book.     I  hope  to  read  it  care- 

# 

fully  through  every  year  of  my  future  life.  Jack  Fair- 
cloth dies  at  night.     Bad  night  with  my  cough. 

Feb.  11 — Rainy.  Bury  Faircloth.  Finish  Matthew 
in  Greek. 

Feb.  12 — Right  unwell.     Visit  Hospital. 

Feb.  13 — Indisposed.  A.  Crisp,  Co.  F.,  dies  at  mid- 
night. 

Feb.  14 — Bury  Crisp.  A.  Mitchel,  Co.  A.,  dies  at 
3  p.  m. 

Feb.  15 — Rainy.  Ed  Register,  Co.  A.,  dies  at 
Brigade  Hospital. 


28 

Feb.  16 — Ride  to  Medical  Board  with  some  sick  men. 
Get  them  off  to  hospital.     Bury  Ed  Register. 

Feb.    17 — Ground   covered  with   snow  and  still  it 

comes.     Saw  enemy's  balloon  yesterday.     Not  today. 

Feb.  18 — Rains  gently  all  day.  I  walk  to  new  camp 
through  rain  and  mud. 

Feb.  19 — Pray  with  regiment. 

Feb.  20 — Regiment  goes  on  picket  just  below  Fred- 
ericksburg. Ride  to  Fredericksburg.  Call  at  store  house 
of  Arthur  Bernard.  Sad  destructon  of  his  property.  He 
has  not  been  seen  since  the  enemy  took  him  in  Dec. 
Fine  paintings  in  one  room,  "Hope  and  Memory," 
"Cleopatra,"  etc.  Call  on  Bro.  Owen,  Chaplain  17th 
Mississippi  Regiment.  Meet  Rev.  Dr.  Stiles  at  sister 
Fitzgerald's.     Night  in  camp. 

Feb.  22 — Rise  at  six,  and  find  snow  a  foot  deep. 
Snows  nearly  all  day.  Sit  in  my  tent  and  read  and  write. 
Hear  many  heavy  guns  just  at  12.  Washington's 
Birthday. 

Feb.  24 — Regiment,  relieved  from  picket,  comes 
into  camp. 

Feb.  26 — Prayer  meeting  in  Co.  I.  Chill  and  fever 
at  night. 

Feb.  27— In  bed. 

Feb.  28 — Bro.  Owen,  17  Mississippi  Regiment,  calls 
on  me.  Dr.  Stiles  and  he  still  blesssd  in  Fredericksburg 
with  revival  power. 

March  2,  1863 — Take  train  and  reach  Richmond. 
See  bloody  coffin  on  cars.     Deserter ! 

March  3 — Reach  Chapel  Hill,  N.  C,  sick  and  tired, 
but  find  family  well. 

March  5 — Ride  to  Jehiel  Atwater's  and  some  other 
places. 

March   8 — Preach  in   M.   E.   church.     Hear   Bro. 
Jenkins  preach  Mrs.  Husky's  funeral  at  night. 

March  9 — Plant  Irish  potatoes. 


29 

March  11 — Attend  and  pray  at  college  prayers  at 
University  of  N.  O.     Buy  corn. 

March  12 — At  9  P.  M.,  start  to  my  regiment. 
Hard  to  part  with  family  under  such  circumstances. 
Muddy  ride  to  Durham.  No  seat  to  Raleigh !  No  seat 
to  Weldon!  Trains  all  miss  connection  at  Weldon. 
Delay  seven  hours  there. 

March  14 — Reach  Richmond  thirty-four  and  a  half 
hours  after  leaving  Ghapel  Hill.  Standing  all  the  way 
on  trains.  "Walk  to  Winder  Hospital.  Thence  to  Sea- 
brook  Hospital.     Call  on  Gen.  Winder  for  Mrs.  H.  &  B. 

March  15 — Dark,  damp  and  cool.  Reach  regiment 
1%  miles  from  Hamilton's  Crossing.  Hail  storm  in 
afternoon 

March  16 — Meet  chaplains  of  the  2nd  corps  at 
Baptist  church  near  Division  Headquarters.  Pleasant 
meeting.  Rev.  B.  T.  Lacy  will  be  of  great  service  to  us. 
Only  forty-four  chaplains  in  corps.  Without  chaplains, 
forty- seven  regiments  and  battalions,  besides  artillery. 

March  17 — In  camp.  Bury  Fraley,  of  Second  N.  O. 
Regiment.  Build  chimney  to  my  tent.  Prayer  meeting 
in  Co.  E. 

March  18 — Prayers  in  camp. 

March  20— Snow !     Snow ! 

March  21 — Very  wet. 

March  22 — Clear  in  p.  rn.  I  read  to  our  Regiment 
the  address  of  Dr.  Ford  to  the  Army  of  the  Southwest. 

March  24 — Meet  chaplains  of  this  corps  at  Round 
Oak  church.  Am  made  chairman  and  elected  to  preach 
to  them  at  next  meeting.  Thus  meeting,  talking,  plan- 
ning and  praying,  we  find  great  help  for  our  work. 

March  25 — Write  to  Bishop  Atkinson,  Dr.  Mott, 
Bro.  J.  C.  Brent  and  N.  C.  Presbyterian.  Prayer  meet- 
ing every  night  in  some  company  of  my  Regiment. 
Considerable  religious  interest. 

March  26 — Prepare  sermon  for  Friday. 

March  27 — Fine  day.    Fast  and  pray.    Preach  to 


30 

Thirtieth  and  Second  Regiments  in  our  camp.  Atten- 
tion good.     Day  well  observed. 

March  28 — Rain  all  day.  Finish  writing  to  churches 
for  Co.  G.  Note  :  I  talked  with  each  church  member  in 
each  company  about  his  spiritual  condition  as  often  as  I 
could.  Once  a  year  I  wrote  home  to  each  church  about 
its  members  and  sent  any  message  anyone  wanted  to 
send,  and  asked  the  church  at  home  to  pray  for  us.  This 
was  expensive,  laborious  work,  but  it  was  for  souls 
whom  Jesus  died  to  save.  I  trust  many  soldiers  and 
many  members  at  home  were  benefitted  by  the  labor. 
About  11  years  after  the  war  I  met  Rev.  Paul  Smith,  a 
local  preacher,  near  Mt.  Pleasant.  He  told  me  he  had  a 
letter  from  me  during  the  war.  I  told  him  I  had  no  re- 
collection of  having  written  to  him.  He  said  he  was  class 
leader  at  Cold  Spring  church  in  those  days,  and  my  let- 
ter was  about  old  Bro.  Hagler.  The  "Roster  of  N.  O. 
Troops"  says  he  enlisted  from  Sampson  county  Sept.  12, 
1863.  I  cannot  blame  the  editor  of  the  roster  for  a  mis- 
take once  in  a  while.  He  had  so  many  thousands  of 
names  and  dates,  the  wonder  is  that  he  made  so  few 
mistakes.  Bro.  Hagler  was  from  Cabarrus  county,  44 
years  old  and  left  a  wife  and  six  children.  The  Roster 
gives  no  account  of  his  death.  He  fell  dead  suddenly 
near  Spottsylvania  Court  House  May  18(34.  He  was  a 
good  man  and  I  loved  him.  The  reader  must  imagine 
my  feelings  when  I  found  I  was  the  pastor  of  John 
Hagler 's  wife  and  children.  Glad  and  sad  was  my 
heart  every  time  I  visited  them.) 

March  29 — Very  rainy,  could  not  preach. 

March  30 — Snow,  hail  and  rain. 

March  31 — Rain  and  hail  all  a.  m. 

April  3 — Prayer  meeting  every  night. 

April  4 — Fierce  wind  all  day.  Hard  on  soldiers. 
Dr.  Grissom  gets  to  camp.  Hear  from  Rev.  Mr.  Sher- 
wood.    Snow  all  night. 

April  5 — Snow  all  a.  m.     Sore  throat. 


31 

April  6 — Visit  G.  T.  Swain,  Co.C,  near  camp,  quite 
sick. 

April  7 — Meet  chaplains  of  this  corps.  Preach  to 
them  and  many  others.  Good  meeting.  All  day  with 
them.  Such  meetings  warm  the  heart  and  encourage 
us. 

April  8 — In  camp  busy  writing  to  the  officers  of 
thirteen  regiments  asking  them  if  they  wish  our  next 
conference  to  send  them  chaplains.  Lieut.  Ellis  goes  to 
work  to  raise  money  to  buy  a  horse  for  his  chaplain. 
Col  P.  gives  twenty  dollars,  others  smaller  sums. 

April  9 — My  application  for  leave  of  absence,  to  be 
with  my  wife  during  "an  important  crisis"  returns 
"disapproved!"  It  was  approved  by  regiment,  brigade 
and  division  commanders  but  "disapproved"  by  corps 
commander,  T.  J.  Jackson.  I  felt  no  bitterness  toward 
him,  as  he  was  conscientious.  I  think  he  had  never 
seen  his  only  child,  Julia.  He  set  great  store  on  the 
presence  and  services  of  chaplains  among  the  soldiers. 
He  knew  the  campaign  would  soon  open,  and  he 
wanted  chaplains  to  be  on  hand  to  care  for  the  wounded 
and  dying.  He  and  others  must  trust  their  wives  in 
God's  hands  and  he  thought  chaplains  ought. 

"Respectfully  forwarded  disapproved,  T.  J.  Jackson." 
Whatever  "Stonewall"  disapproved  we  might  expect 
Gen.  Lee  to  disapprove.  My  heart  sank  within  me 
when  I  read  the  short,  last  entry:  "Respectfully  re- 
turned disapproved  by  order  of  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee."  My 
diary  gives  some  of  the  cries  of  my  heart  in  that  sad 
hour. 

April  10 — Procured  subscribers  for  sundry  religious 
papers  and  forwarded  $73.50  for  them.  Wrote  to  wife- 
Met  Rev.  Bennick,  of  S.  C.  Conference,  chaplain  24th 
N.  C.  Regiment,  Bro.  Marshall,  12th  Georgia  Regiment, 
conducts  morning  prayers  for  me.  Get  bundle  N*.  C. 
Christian    Advocates.    The    paper    is    revived,    thank 


32 

God !     Get  letters  from  Rev.  M.  Miller  and  Rev.  J.  J. 
Lansdell.    Write  to  Rev.  W.  E.  Pell. 

April  12 — I  kept  a  little  volume  in  my  bosom,  giv- 
ing a  verse  of  scripture  for  each  day  in  the  year.  The 
verse  for  April  12  was  Matt.  26,  42 :  "Oh,  my  Father, 
if  this  cup  may  not  pass  away  from  me,  except  I  drink 
it,  Thy  will  be  done."  By  his  help  I  said :  "Thy  will 
be  done,"  and  went  on  happy  in  my  work.  Bro  J. 
Win.  Jones,  13th  Ya.  and  Dr.  Curtis,  57th  N.  C.  Regi- 
ments arrive.  Bro.  Jones  preaches  for  me.  Dine 
and  walk  to  Bro.  Jones'  regiment  and  preach.  After 
supper  I  walk  alone  by  Hamilton's  Crossing  to  camp. 
Letter  from  Bishop  Atkinson. 

April  13 — In  camp.  Visit  Geo.  T.  Swain  at 
Younge's. 

April  14 — Meet  chaplains.  Rev.  Brigadier  General 
Pendleton,  D.  D.,  was  with  us.  Bro.  Nelson  preaches. 
Happy  meeting.  Chaplains  agree  to  pray  for  each 
other  at  sunset  every  day. 

April  15 — Rainy  day.  Oh,  Mary,  I  expected  to 
start  to  you  to-day ! 

April  16— Write  to  Mary.  Visit  20th  and  12th 
Regiments. 

April  17 — Walk  to  Hamilton's  Crossing  to  get  tele- 
gram from  wife.  Buy  twenty-four  Testaments.  Bro. 
Jones  walks  back  to  60th  Georgia  Regiment  with  me. 

April  18- — Chaplains  Patterson  and  Smith  at  prayers 
with  us.  I  preach  to  Gordon's  Brigade.  Bro.  Lacy 
preaches  in  p.  m. 

Sun,  19 — Prayers  early.  Preach  at  10  a.  m.  Get 
telegram.  "I  am  well,"  from  wife.  Thank  God  !  Oh, 
Father,  be  with  her !  Preach  in  2nd  Regiment  in  p.  m. 
Prayer  meeting  in  Co.  "G,"  at  night.  Decided  inter- 
est. 

Apr.  20 — Rain  all  day.  Public  service  at  10.  Read 
and  explain  Deut.  20.  Get  ten  days  furlough.  Having 
sold  my  horse  several  months  before,  I  was  now  trying 


33 

to  buy.  Not  finding  a  suitable  one  for  sale,  when  the 
spring  campaign,  soon  to  open,  made  such  demand  for 
them,  my  Colonel  encouraged  me  to  apply  for  ten  days 
furlough  to  go  to  North  Carolina  to  buy  one,  hoping  I 
might  yet  reach  my  wife  in  time  to  see  her  pass  an 
impending  crisis. 

Tuesday,  Apr.  21 — Damp  morning.  Receive  two 
men  into  the  church  at  morning  prayers.  Start  to 
North  Carolina. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Confederate  War,  a  chap- 
lain was  not  allowed  forage  for  a  horse.  I  believe  the 
U.  S.  Army  Regulations  never  considered  a  Chaplain  a 
mounted  officer.  My  Colonel  always  drew  forage  for 
my  horse  as  one  of  his.  I  am  told  that  "Stonewall" 
Jackson  asked  our  Congress  to  allow  forage  for  each 
Chaplain,  because  he  thought  they  could  be  so  much 
more  active  and  efficient  by  being  mounted.  My  being 
mounted  gave  me  a  chance  to  help  many  a  foot-sore, 
sick  or  wounded  man.  I  could  walk  for  hours  and  give 
a  ride  to  the  foot- sore  or  wounded.  I  could  stop  or  turn 
aside  ana  look  after  the  wounded,  and  then  hurry  on 
and  overtake  my  Regiment. 

Apr.  23 — Get  to  Chapel  Hill  at  7  :30  a.  m.,  and  find 
all  well. 

Apr.  24 — At  home. 

Apr.  25 — Our  fifth  child,  a  son,  is  born  at  3  :30  a.  m. 
Mother  and  child  doing  well.     Thank  God  ! 

Apr.  26 — Hear  Bro.  Jenkins  preach  twice. 

Apr.  27 — Plant  corn  and  beans. 

Apr.  28— Buy  little  black  mare  from  Charles  John- 
son for  $200.     Rain. 

Apr.  29,  1863 — Over  thirty-three  years  have  passed 
since  I  wrote  my  diary  for  the  above  day.  With  a 
grateful  heart  I  copy  the  exact  words.  '  'I  wish  here 
devoutly  to  acknowledge  that  merciful  Providence  that 
has  guided  me  for  twenty  days  past."  I  leave  wife 
and  little  ones  early.     God  blesses  me  at   the  family 


34 

altar.  Ride  on  horseback.  Spend  night  with  Mrs.  M. 
Waller  at  Knap  O' Reeds.  Bros.  Peed  and  Tilly  called 
and  sat  with  me  awhile. 

Apr.  30 — Meet  Rev.  W.  C.  Gannon,  my  Conference 
class-mate  at  Tally  Ho.  He  rides  with  me  to  Oxford.  I 
dine  with  Rev.  L.  K.  Willie.  Miss  my  way  and  meet 
Col.  C.  P.  Taylor.  He  went  out  as  Captain  of  Co.  "G" 
of  30th  Regiment,  but  retired  in  May  1861.  He  lived 
and  died  a  noble  Christian.  Pass  Williamsboro, 
Townsville,  and  spend  night  with  Charles  Taylor. 

Fri.,  May  1 — Cross  Roanoke  at  Taylor's  Ferry. 
Stop  at  Randolph  Macon  College.  Meet  Rev.  P.  W. 
Archer,  Rev.  Dr.  W.  A.  Smith  and  Rev.  Chipley.  Pass 
on  and  spend  night  with  Captain  C.  W.  Bragg. 

May  2— Pass  Lunenburg  Court  House.  Meet  Mrs. 
Ray,  of  Virginia  Conference.  Saturday  night  finds  me 
with  Dr.  G.  W.  Scott.  Four  days  in  the  saddle  took 
me  forty-eight  miles  to  Oxford,  thirty-six  to  andolph 
Macon  College,  and  fifty  to  Dr.  Scott's. 

Sun.  May  3,  '63— Hear  Rev.  D.  W.  Shanks  preach 
at  Amelia  Court  House.  He  is  a  Presbyterian.  Dine 
with  Mr.  Weising.  Ride  twelve  miles  and  spend  night 
with  Mr.  Smithey. 

May  4— Ride  six  miles  to  Powhattan  Court  House 
and  hear  everything.  A  Federal  Cavalry  raid  had  been 
spreading  terror  on  1  he  opposite  side  of  the  river.  Meet 
Rev.  Blinco  of  Virginia  Conference.  Ride  twelve  miles 
toward  Jude's  Ferry.  Dine  and  go  six  miles  further 
down  the  river  by  Manakin  Ferry  and  stop  with  Mrs. 
Mosely.  How  excited  the  people  !  God  alone  can  keep 
us  quiet.     Bless  His  name!     lam  in  ''perfect  peace!" 

May  5 — Ride  fifteen  miles  to  Richmond.  Telegraph 
to  Mary.  Seven  days  in  the  saddle,  from  Chapel  Hill 
to  Richmond.  Had  not  heard  a  word  from  my  family 
yet.  I  think  those  had  been  the  happiest  seven  days  of 
my  life  up  to  that  time.  "Praising  my  Savior  all  the 
day  long."     When  I  knelt  at  sun-set  in  the  woods  and 


35 

prayed  for  the  Chaplains,  the  soldiers,  my  country  and 
my  family,  my  soul  was  so  happy.  That  telegram  must 
have  gladdened  the  heart  of  the  little  wife,  who  could 
not  know  where  the  husband  was.  She  expected  me  to 
cross  James  River  above  Richmond,  and  did  not  write 
to  me  there. 

May  6 — Damp  and  cool.     Rain  all  day. 

May  7 — Pass  11th  and  52nd  Regiments  going  to 
Hamilton's  Crossing.  Write  to  wife  from  Ashland,  in 
the  home  of  Rev.  D.  T.  Wills. 

May  8 — Ride  over  the  worst  roads  I  ever  saw  to  old 
camp  and  find  my  Regiment  there.  Some  are  gone 
forever! 

May  9 — Prayers  with  my  men.  Hear  from  family. 
Doing  well,  thank  God ! 

Saturday,  May  9,  1863 — Spend  day  among  wound- 
ed. Most  of  the  wounded  of  our  Regiment  get  off  on 
train  to  hospitals.  Many  poor  strangers  suffer  for  at- 
tention, though  surgeons  and  nurses  do  all  they  can. 

May  10 — Preach  in  camp.  Second  and  Fourth  regi- 
ments worship  with  us.  General  thanksgiving  day  for 
our  late  victory.  The  "victory"  cost  many  lives. 
Many  husbands  left  widows  and  orphans.  When  I 
made  that  point  in  my  sermon,  and  gave  number  of 
widows  and  orphans  left  by  those  who  fell  in  the  30th 
regiment,  Gen.  Grimes  gave  special  attention,  and 
stopped  to  speak  to  me  after  preaching,  and  said  he 
wished  he  knew  how  many  widows  and  orphans  were 
left  by  all  who  fell  in  Lee's  army  in  the  last  battle  I 
spend  p.  m.  among  wounded  at  railroad.  Gen.  Jack- 
son dies  at  3  p.  ni. 

May  11 — Prayers  in  a.  m.  I  visit  28th  Regiment 
and  see  Bro.  Kennedy. 

May  12— Visit  12th,  28th,  20th  and  37th  Regiments. 

Mav  13 — Wife's  birthday.  Yesterday,  eight  years 
ago,  I  married  her. 

May  14 — Prayer  every  morning  and  evening. 


36 

May  15 — Visit  Col.  Christie,  of  23rd  Regiment.  Bro. 
Ervin,  of  South  Carolina,  spends  night  with  me  and 
preaches. 

May  16 — Four  new  converts. 

Sunday,  May  17 — Preach  at  9  a.  m.     Baptize  A.  S. 

Brown   Co,   H.   and Alexander  Co.  K.     Prayer 

meeting  in  p.  m. 

May  18 — In  camp.  Lieut.  Orr  presents  me  with 
ten  dollars.  Sundry  other  officers  contribute  to  buy 
me  a  horse. 

May  19 — Meet  chaplains. 

May  20 — Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  Hoge  preaches  to  our  brig- 
ade. 

May  21— Rev.  N.  B.  Cobb  and  Rev.  J.  A.  Stradly, 
of  North  Carolina,  come  to  Second  Regiment. 

May  22 — Bro.  Stradly  preaches  for  2nd  and  30th  in 
a.  m.,  Bro.  Cobb  in  p.  m.  Prayer  meeting  in  each  at 
night. 

May  23 — I  preach  to  2nd  and  30th.  Several  con- 
verts. 

May  24 — I  preach  twice.  Baptize  J.  A.  Underwood. 
Several  converts.  Bro.  Cobb  baptizes  one  of  the  30th 
and  four  of  14th  Regiments  at  5  p.  m. 

May  25 — Examine  two  candidates  for  Missionary 
Baptist  Church.  Rev.  J.  H.  Colton,  Chaplain  53rd  Regi- 
ment spends  night  with  me.  He  had  been  my  class- 
mate three  years  at  his  father's  school,  Summer ville, 
N.  C,  and  three  years  at  Chapel  Hill. 

May  26 — Meet  Chaplains.  Bro.  Stradly  preaches 
for  me  at  night. 

May  28 — Bro.  Howard,  of  Sampson  County,  North 
Carolina,  comes  to  my  regiment  and  preaches  for  me. 
The  Lord  pours  out  His  Spirit.  We  see  twelve  peni- 
tents and  five  converts. 

May  30 — Preaching  a.  m.  and  p.  m.  The  Lord  is 
with  us. 

Sunday,    May  31 — Bro.   Howard  preaches  in  a.  m. 


37 

and  I  in  p.  m.  He  immerses  8,  I  baptise  1  by  pouring. 
Eleven  converts  in  last  four  days. 

June  1,  1863 — We  continue  our  meeting.  Bros. 
Cobb  and  Stradly  helping. 

June  2 — Meet  chaplains.  At  night  we  see  15  peni- 
tents and  several  converts. 

June  3 — Bro.  Stradly  preaches  in  a.  m.  Thirteen 
join  the  church,  and  two  or  three  are  converted  during 
the  meeting — 15  or  18  penitents.  Army  receive  march- 
ing orders ! 

June  4 — Pass  Spottslyvania  Court  House. 

June  5 — Move  on.  Dr.  Deems  and  Bros.  Cobb  and 
Stradly  with  us.     Seven  penitents  at  evening  prayers. 

June  6 — Move  on.  Dr.  Deems  preaches  to  our  Brig- 
ade, as  we  rest  on  the  road  at  mid-day.  Rain.  I  sit 
under  a  wagon,  as  my  tent  was  left.  I  sleep  on  wet 
leaves  at  night. 

Sunday,  June  7 — Pass  Culpepper  Court  House.  At 
evening  worship,  29  penitents.  Yesterday  p.  m.  Bro. 
Cobb  examined  7  candidates  for  his  church,  and  I,  8  for 
mine. 

June  8 — Dr.  Deems  preached  for Brigade.    I 

preach  for  Doles  Brigade  and  take  five  into  my  church. 
Bro.  Marshall,  of  12th  Ga.,  preaches  for  our  Brigade  at 
6  p,  m. — 28  penitents,  six  converts.  Seven  or  eight  join 
different  churches. 

June  9 — Dr.  Deems  leaves  us  for  North  Carolina, 
not  knowing  his  oldest  son,  Theodore  Disosway  was  to 
be  mortally  wounded  at  Gettysburg  in  a  few  days. 
March  every  day. 

June  12 — Pass  up  valley  and  over  mountain  toward 
Front  Royal.  Dine  with  Rev.  Dr.  Hough  and  his  good 
wife.     Cross  Shenandoah  River. 

June  13— Pass  Berry ville  and  capture  a  fine  desert- 
ed camp. 

Sunday,  June  14 — Call  on  Wm.  Asbury,  nephew  of 
Bishop    Asbury    (?)     Army  pass   on   to    Martinsburg. 


38 

Enemy  being  run  out,  our  men  save  some  burning  com- 
missary stores. 

June  15 — Cross  Potomac  at  Williamsport  and  camp 
in  Maryland*    Fever  in  p.  m.  and  night. 

June  17 — Brigade  moves  to  Hagerstown.  I  call  on 
Oberton  Homes  and  sup  with  him.  Spend  night  with 
Dr.  Halm  at  Female  Seminary.  He  and  wife  so  very 
kind. 

June  19 — Leave  H.  at  5  p,  m.  Heavy  rain.  Ride 
nearly  all  night.  Eeach  wagons  two  miles  beyond 
Martinsburg  at  5  a.  m. 

June  20 — Damp  and  dark.  Retrace  my  steps  and 
sleep  in  a  barn  near  Hagerstown.  Write  wife  by  Bro. 
Stallings,  Quartermaster  Sergeant. 

June  21 — Very  unwell.  Bro.  Cobb  preaches  for  our 
Brigade.     Several  are  immersed  in  p.  m. 

June  22 — Division  moves  toward  Chambersburg, 
Pa.  Dr.  J.  V.  Simmons  in  Hagerstown,  fills  a  tooth  for 
me  and  will  not  charge  a  "rebel."  Enter  Pennsylvania 
and  camp  near  Green  Castle.  • 

June  23 — In  camp.     Seven  penitents  at  night. 

June  26 — Prayer  meeting  in  J.  Kenigg's  barn. 

June  27 — Hard  march.  Mud !  Mud !  Pass 
through  Carlisle  and  camp  in  United  States  Barracks. 
I  sleep  on  ground.  Get  two  letters  from  wife.  Daughter 
sick  June  4.     God  spare  her ! 

Sunday,  June  28 — Bro.  Lacy  preaches  to  three 
North  Carolina  Brigades  in  the  forenoon.  I  preach  in 
the  afternoon  and  baptize  five  by  pouring.  (In  1896  I 
met  one  of  them  in  North  Carolina.  He  told  me  I 
baptized  him  at  Carlisle ;  but  I  smelt  whiskey  on  his 
breath  in  1896.)  Bro.  Brooks  and  I  baptise  four  each, 
in  a  pool  near  by.  Pleasant  day,  but  not  much  spiritu- 
ality among  the  soldiers.     Write  to  Mary  at  night. 

June  29 — Rainy.  Ride  into  Carlisle.  Call  on  Mar- 
shall in  College  grove.  Meet  Rev.  Dr.  Johnson,  Presi- 
dent    of   Dickinson   College.     When   Rev.   Dr.   Deems 


.39 

graduated  there,  he  did  not  know  his  oldest  son  would 
hear  preaching  for  the  last  time  at  this  place  and  then 
march  on  to  Gettysburg  to  be  killed.  Meet  Rev.  Gran- 
din  of  Baltimore  Conference,  who  graduated  here  eigh- 
teen years  ago.  Meet  Dr.  Johnson's  daughter,  a  bright 
young  woman,  who  asks  me  some  questions.  "Mr. 
Betts,  what  was  your  object  in  joining  the  army?  "Was 
it  to  help  the  rebellion  ?"  I  told  her  I  could  not  have 
taken  the  oath  of  office  as  Chaplain  if  I  had  not  been 
in  full  sympathy  with  the  Confederate  cause,  but  I  did 
not  think  it  so  weak  as  to  need  my  help.  I  told  her  my 
love  for  souls  led  me  into  the  work.  Fixing  her  eyes 
on  mine,  she  said:  "Mr.  Betts,  would  you  be  willing 
to  see  the  Union  restored?"  I  quickly  said:  "Miss 
Johnson,  I  would  rejoice  to  see  the  Union  'restored,' 
but  you  and  I  will  never  see  it  'restored."  Visit  Fed- 
eral prisoners  at  night. 

June  30 — Division  crosses  Blue  Ridge  and  camp 
half  a  mile  beyond  Heidleburg.  Dark  rainy  evening. 
I  sit  on  a  fence  and  write  to  my  wife  and  tell  her  I 
expect  to  sleep  on  two  rails  on  top  of  that  fence,  while 
soldiers  sleep  among  the  rocks  around  me.  I  add: 
"Thank  God!  I  am  happy."  Happiness  does  not  de- 
pend so  much  on  our  surroundings  as  some  may  think. 
Once  I  was  not  happy  while  it  seems  I  should  have 
been.  Walking  with  some  young  people  across  the 
beautiful  University  grounds  in  North  Carolina  I  said : 
"Miss  Julia,  it  seems  that  a  young  man  ought  to  be 
happy  here."  That  expression  was  a  confession  that  I 
was  not  happy.    What  a  contrast ! 

July  L  —Division  moves  six  miles  by  Middle  Town 
and  six  and  a  half  to  Gettysburg  and  drive  the  enemy 
two  miles.  Col.  Parker,  Capt.  C.  N.  Allen,  Lieut. 
Brown  and  many  others  are  wounded.  Among  the 
killed  are :  G.  L.  Swain,  S.  M.  Hewitt,  John  C.  Good- 
win, John  H.  Mason  and  J.  B.  Whitley. 

Col.  Parker's   wound  was  in  the  face.     The  ball 


40 

entered  just  below  one  eye  and  came  out  just  below 
the  other,  cutting  the  nasal  tubes.  When  I  knelt  by 
him  and  prayed  for  him  and  his  wife  and  children,  he 
seemed  about  to  strangle  with  the  blood.  I  stopped 
praying  and  held  my  arm  lovingly  over  him  till  he  was 
quiet.  He  got  home,  returned  to  duty,  and  received 
another  wound  at  Spottsylvania,  and  was  then  put  on 
post  duty. 

Oapt.  Allen's  right  arm  was  so  broken  up  that  it 
had  to  be  amputated.  His  case  will  interest  others. 
He  had  an  idea  that  surgeons  were  fond  of  cutti  ng  off 
men's  limbs.  Dr.  Briggs  asked  me  to  see  him  and  try 
to  influence  him,  for  he  refused  to  allow  his  arm  am- 
putated. Capt.  Allen  had  lately  married  Miss  Johns  in 
Wake  County,  N.  C.  I  prayed  silently  as  I  went  to 
where  he  lay.  Kneeling  by  him,  I  said,  "Oapt.  I  long 
for  you  to  get  home  and  see  that  lovely  young  wife, 
who  is  praying  for  you,  but  you  will  never  see  her  if 
you  try  to  keep  that  arm."  We  looked  silently  into 
each  other's  eyes.  After  a  while,  he  said :  "Mr.  Betts, 
I  wish  you  would  call  Briggs  to  me."  I  called  Dr. 
Briggs!  (Nine  years  after  I  met  him  in  Wake.  He 
took  me  to  his  home.  Introducing  me  to  his  wife,  he 
said,  "Bro.  Betts,  I  want  to  confess  to  you  in  the  pres- 
ence of  my  wife  that  I  owe  my  life  to  you."  The 
reader  must  imagine  my  feelings.) 

July  2 — Part  of  the  day  among  wounded  men. 
Visited  Brigade  in  town.  A  fearful  fight  from  3  till  9 
p.  m. 

July  8 — Move  hospital  early.  Brother  Stradley  and 
I  were  riding  over  the  fields  from  one  hospital  to  an- 
other, when  I  fell  from  my  horse  at  noon,  not  knowing 
I  had  fallen,  and  remaining  unconscious  for  an  hour. 
Loss  of  sleep  and  excitement  may  have  led  to  the  ver- 
tigo. God  could  take  a  man  out  of  this  world  without 
his  knowing  anything  of  it.  Col.  Bennett  wounded. 
Lieut.  Connell,  of  Co.  G.,  killed. 


41 

July  4 — Move  corps  hospital  early  to  a  barn  three 
miles  towards  Fairfield.  Bury  Lieut.  Connell  and  a 
man  of  the  4th  N.  C.  Regiment.  I  wrote  to  the  young 
man's  father,  near  States ville,  and  told  him  I  had  buried 
his  son.  (At  a  Conference  in  States  ville,  Dec.  1868,  a 
lady  called  for  me  and  told  me  her  father,  an  old  man 
too  feeble  to  ride  to  town,  asked  her  to  come  and  find 
me  and  give  his  love  to  me,  and  thank  me  for  what  I 
had  done  for  him.  As  we  sat  and  wept,  I  felt  a 
thousand  times  paid  for  my  labor  and  my  ten-cent  post- 
age stamp. ) 

Col.  Parker  and  Bennett  start  for  Virginia  in  am- 
bulance. 

July  6 — Division  moves  slowly  on  through  Foun- 
tain Dale  Gap. 

July  7 — Move   on   and  camp  one-and-a-half  miles 

from  Hagerstown. 

July  8 — Rain  and  wind  for  five  days. 

July  9 — Ride  to  Williamsport  to  see  our  wounded. 

July  10 — Day  among  wounded. 

July  11 — Go  out  to  Regiment  in  line  of  battle. 
Pray  with  them  in  the  afternoon. 

July  12 — Preach  to  Regiment  in  a.  m.  Get  three 
letters  from  Mary  in  p.  m.     All  well,  thank  the  Lord. 

July  13 — Visit  Regiment.  Rain.  Late  in  the  after- 
noon start  for  Virginia,  at  twilight.  Ride  down 
through  rain  and  mud  to  pontoon  bridge  at  Falling 
Water.  Cross  at  10 :30  and  pass  on  in  rain  and  mud  to 
within  one  mile  of  Martinsburg.  Sleep  a  little  on  two 
rails    under    a    wagon.     God  bring  our   soldiers  over 

safely ! 

July  14 — Ride  in  rain  to  Martinsburg,   and  stop 

with  Mr.  Doll.     His  son  Dick  is  in  2d  Va.  Regiment. 

Meet  Dr.  Hoge.    Dr.  Witherspoon  extracts  a  tooth  for 

me. 

July  15 — Spend  a.  m.  as  yesterday  with  sick  and 

wounded.     Army  passing  all  day.    Fever  in  p.  m.  and 

night.     Night  in  field  near  Martinsburg. 


42 

July  16 — Very  unwell.  Army  moves  on.  I  stop 
and  rest  at  Dr.  Burkhart's  in  Darkville.  Night  in  tent 
with  Bro.  Stradley.  Heard  from  Mary.  She  and 
children  are  "prayerful,  hopeful  and  happy."  Got  let- 
ter from  Bro.  Deems,  inquiring  after  his  son,  Lieut.  T. 
D.  Deems,  and  asking  me  to  come  to  see  him.  Dr. 
Deems  left  us  for  North  Carolina  June  9.  He  heard 
his  son  was  wounded  at  Gettysburg,  and  had  come  to 
Winchester  hoping  to  see  or  hear  something  of  him. 
The  military  authorities  did  not  allow  citizens  just 
then  to  go  to  our  army.  All  he  could  do  was  to  ask  me 
to  come  to  see  him.  Bro.  Stradley  held  prayer  meeting 
for  2d  and  20th. 

July  17 — Rain,  rain.  Ask  leave  to  go  to  "Winches- 
ter to  see  Dr.  Deems.  Colonel  approves.  Brigade  and 
division  commanders  say  there  is  no  need  for  me  to  go ! 
They  offer  to  send  my  written  statement !  I  meet 
Bro.  B.  T.  Lacy  in  camp.  He  asks  me  if  I  have  a 
"pass  at  will"  from  the  corps  commander.  I  tell  him 
that  is  what  every  Chaplain  ought  to  have.  He  asks 
me  to  stand  still  a  moment.  He  steps  into  Lieutenant 
General's  tent  and  returns  with  the  needed  pass.  I 
gallop  to  Winchester  and  find  Dr.  Deems  gone.  The 
division  commander  meets  me  on  the  street.  Does  not 
ask  me  how  I  came.  I  wanted  him  to  ask.  I  was  anx- 
ious to  show  him  my  pass.  It  served  me  a  good  pur- 
pose many  times  in  trying  to  do  my  duty  as  Chaplain 
in  caring  for  sick  and  wounded  men,  and  in  going  from 
point  to  point  in  that  army.    Colonel  Christie  dies. 

July     18— Ride    by    Mr.   Silver's   at  White   Hall.  ■ 
Night  in  camp.    Peter  P.  Scales,  my  class-mate  at  Uni- 
versity, dies. 

Sunday,  July  19 — Bros.  Stradley,  Power  and  F.  H. 
Wood,  preach  to  our  Brigade.  I  have  prayers  with  my 
Regiment  and  with  Dr.  Sprunt,  Chaplain  of  20th  Regi- 
ment  sick. 

July  22 — Carry  many  papers  to  Regiment. 


43 

July  25 — Heavy  rain.    Night  in  Mr.  R's  barn. 

Sunday,  July  26 — Preach  to  my  Regiment  in  a.  m. 
Bro.  Wood  at  church  in  p.  m.  Bro.  Harding  in  church. 
I  pray  with  Gen.  Ewell  in  a.  m. 

July  27 — Division  moves  early.  Cross  mountain  at 
Thornton's  Gap.  cool  springs  all  the  way  up  the  moun- 
tain.   Four  miles  up  and  four  miles  down. 

July  28 — Rain  in  p.  m.  Camp  in  twelve  miles  of 
Madison  Court  House. 

July  30— Conscripts,  thirty-five  or  forty  arrive  for 
our  Regiment.    Prayer  meeting  at  night. 

July  31 — Ride  to  court  house.  Much  edified  by  an 
hour's  chat  with  sister  of  Rev.  Lemon.  Begin  sermon 
in  p.  m.  and  we  suddenly  receive  marching  orders. 

Saturday,  August  1 — Division  moves  toward  Orange 
Court  House.  I  go  with  Bro.  Stradley  into  Gordonville 
with  sick.  Moon-light  night  on  the  road.  Pray  with 
Dr.  Adams  and  his  drivers.  Get  to  Regiment  one  mile 
beyond  Orange  Court  House  before  sunrise. 

August  2 — Bro.  Power  preaches  in  a.  m.  and  I  in 

p.  m. 

August  4 — Moved  camp. 

August    6 — Preach  in  a.  m.    Prayer    meeting  at 

night. 

August    8 — Bro.    Lacy    preaches  in  Iverson's  old 

Brigade.    Prayer  meeting   in  my  Regiment  at  night. 

Sunday,  August  9 — Bro.  Power  preacnes  in  a.  m., 
and  I  preach  in  p.  m. ,  and  meet  my  church  members. 

August  10 — Sore  throat  and  chest. 

August  11 — Meet  Chaplaias. 

August  12 — Go  to  Richmond. 

August  13 — Very  busy.  Buy  good  many  things  for 
Regiment.    Write  to  Mary. 

August     14 — Return     to     Regiment.     Carry     fifty 

Testaments  and  Psalms,  thirteen  Bibles,  one  hundred 
hymns,  &c,  to  my  Regiment  and  much  to  others. 

August  16 — Bro.  Power  preaches  in  a.  m.,  and  I  in 
p.  m. 


44 

August  17 — In  camp.  Busy  every  day.  Prayer 
meeting  almost  every  night. 

August  18 — Meet  Chaplains.  Rev.  Dr.  Broadus 
preaches.  Pleasant  meeting.  Marry  O.  L.  Pettit  to  A. 
H.  Lay  ton  at  Henry  Atkins'. 

August  19 — Preach  in  Dole's  Brigade. 

August  20 — Write  to  Advocate. 

August  21 — Fast  day.  Prayer  meeting  at  sunrise. 
Preach  at  7.  Hear  Bro.  Lacy  at  Gen.  Ewell's  at  11. 
Preach  to  2nd  Regiment  at  4  p.  m.  Assist  in  commun- 
ion in  the  14th  at  night.  I  baptize  two  men.  Perhaps 
one  hundred  and  fifty  take  Lord's  Supper. 

August  22 — Dine  at  Bro.  Newman's.  He  and  his 
old  Christian  wife  came  to  preaching  in  camp.  Her 
voice,  with  a  thousand  male  voices,  reminded  us  of  the 
voices  of  mothers,  wives,  sisters,  and  daughters  we 
once  heard  and  now  longed  to  hear  again. 

Sunday,  23 — I  preached  at  8  :30.  Bro.  Marshall  at 
11,  and  I  at  4  p.  m. 

August  24 — Built  arbor  for  meeting. 

August  25 — Meet  Chaplains  at  Baptist  Church  and 
at  court  house.  Dr.  Bocock  preaches  excellent  sermon. 
Rain. 

August  26 — Bro.  Lacy  preaches  in  14th  Regiment 
on  "Prodigal  Son."     Rain. 

August  27 — Ride  to  2nd  Virginia  Regiment  with 
Bros.  Hopkins  and  Anderson  on  question  of  correspon- 
dence with  Chaplains  elsewhere. 

August  28 — Prayer  at  sunrise.  Preach  for  Bro. 
Marshall  at  8  a.  m.  Bro,  Moore  of  12th  Alabama  Regi- 
ment preaches  for  Bro.  Power  at  10  a.  m. 

August  ^9,  30  and  31.  Prayer  at  sunrise  each  day 
and  preaching  every  night.     Bro.  Howard  with  me. 

Sept.  1 — Meet  Chaplains.  Dr.  Pendleton  there. 
Rev.  Dr.  Sehon  and  Rosser  come  on  train.  (Rev.  Thos. 
Murphy,  of  Wilmington,  and  David  Sykes,  of  Bladen, 
died  Aug.  18.)     Two  converts  during  the  week.     Much 


45 

interest  in  2nd  and  3rd.     Several  penitents  and  some 
converts. 

Sept.  4 — The  Lord's  work  goes  on.  Ten  quiet, 
clear  conversions  at  night.  Bro.  Howard  preaches. 
Ten  days  furlough  comes. 

Sept.  5 — Self-denial.  Furlough  in  my  pocket ;  but 
feel  it  my  duty  to  remain  at  my  work.  Much  encour- 
aged by  frequent  conversions. 

(Sixteen  years  from  that  day  I  was  to  see  my  wife 
die  in  Greensboro.  She  has  been  seventeen  years  in 
Heaven,  as  I  review  my  little  diary  of  the  trials  and 
toils  of  war. ) 

Sept.  6 — Preach  for  Doles'  Brigade.  In  p.  m.,  Bro 
Howard,  Lawry  and  I  immerse  about  thirty  men.  Bro. 
Powledge,  of  Georgia,  preaches  for  me  at  night. 

Sept.  7 — Bro.  Howard  preaches  for  men  at  night. 

Sept,  8 — Meet  Chaplains.  Glorious  work  in  the 
army,  thank  God ! 

Sept.  9 — Start  home. 

Sept.  10 — Get  to  Raleigh  at  midnight. 

Sept.  11 — Reach  home  to  breakfast. 

Sept.  12 — Ride  to  Orange  Church. 

Sept.  13— Preach  in  M.  E.  Church  in  Chapel  Hill. 

Sept.  16 — Rev.  J.  W.  Jenkins  baptizes  my  fourth 
son,  James  Russell. 

Sept.  17 — Start  to  Virginia  at  4  p.  m.  God  bless 
wife  and  children ! 

Sept.  19 — Get  to  Orange  Courthouse  weak  and 
sick.    Walk  six  or  eight  miles  to  Dr.  Terryll's. 

Sept.  20 — Walk  to  wagon  yard.  Ride  to  Palmyra 
Church.     Preach  to  Ordinance  officers. 

Sept.  21 — Get  to  Regiment  near  Morton's  Ford. 
Bro.  Marshall  went  with  me  and  preached  at  Palmyra 
Church.     Sleep  in  stable  at  Buckner's. 

Sept.  22 — Go  in  camp  near  Morton's  Ford.  Wil- 
lie's birthday. 


46 

Sept.  23  —  Preach  to  Regiment  on  picket  line. 
Prayers  at  night. 

Sept.  25  —  Revs.  Rumple  and  Kilpatrick  arrive. 
Bro.  Rumple  preaches  at  night. 

Sept.  26 — Bro.  Kilpatrick  preaches  this  p.  m.  Regi- 
ments go  on  picket.     Prayer  at  night. 

Sept.  27 — Preach  twice  on  picket.  Relieved  late. 
Bro.  Rumple  preaches  at  night. 

Sept.  28 — Two  converts. 

Sept.  29 — Write  to  Prof.  Hepburn. 

Sept.  30 — Go  on  picket. 

October  1,  1863 — Visit  Hoke's  Brigade.  Bro.  Rum- 
ple preaches  for  us. 

October  2 — Rain,  get  wet. 

October  3 — Dr.  Rosser  preaches  for  us  twice. 

October  4 — Bro.  Kilpatrick  preaches  a.  m.  and  Bro. 
Rumple  p.  m.  Fifty  or  more  conscripts  arrive  for  our 
Regiment. 

October  5 — Preach  for  Battle's  Brigade  at  night. 

October  6 — Meet  Chaplains  at  Pisgah  Church.  Go 
with  Bro.  Rumple  toward  Orange  courthouse.  Spend 
night  at  Mr.  Grymes'.  Noble  family.  Man  and  wife  and 
several  daughters  seem  so  glad  to  entertain  us.  Some 
officers  there,  too.  Two  armies  had  been  for  a  long 
time  using  the  food  of  that  section.  We  saw  no  servant 
in  the  princely  home.  The  bright  young  women  waited 
on  the  table  very  gracefully.  No  reference  was  made 
to  servants  or  short  food  supply.  The  only  food  we  saw 
or  tasted  was  corn-bread,  milk  and  butter.  My  heart 
did  bless  them  then,  and  blesses  them  now.  They  ac- 
cepted the  situation  gracefully. 

October  7 — While  we  stood  by  the  train  at  the  depot 
we  saw  in  the  ladies'  coach  a  nurse  with  a  little  child. 
I  asked  her  to  hold  him  up  that  I  might  see  him.  I  said, 
"Nurse,  please  pinch  him,  I  want  to  hear  a  baby  cry." 
The  ladies  looked  out  to  see  a  crazy  man. 

October  8 — Corps  moving. 


47 

October  9 — Leave  at  5  a.  m.  Pass  Orange  Court- 
house. 

Ootober  10 — Pass  Madison  Courthouse. 

October  11 — Pass  Bethlehem  Church.  Meet  Mrs. 
Griffin,  86  years  old,  has  never  joined  any  church.  Says 
her  husband  kept  her  out  36  years  ago.  Camp  four  and 
a  half  miles  from  Courthouse.  Rev.  Dr.  Boyce  preaches 
at  night. 

October  12 — Pass  E.  and  drive  enemy  from  Jefferson 
Sulphur  Springs. 

October  13 — Pass  Warrenton.  Meet  Ed.  M.  Spillman 
— a  prince. 

October  14 — A  skirmish  early.  I  remain  with 
wounded  at  Allison's  house. 

October  15 — Ten  years  ago  God  converted  my  soul- 
C.  H.  Ruffin,  of  Nash  Co.,  wounded  yesterday.  Dies  in 
my  arms — in  perfect  peace.  Charlie  enlisted  at  17,  and, 
perhaps,  was  the  wildest  boy  in  his  Regiment. 

He  was  very  respectful  to  me,  but  showed  no  signs 
of  any  care  for  his  soul  till  April  last.  About  the  time  I 
was  disappointed  in  my  hopes  to  go  home,  he  began  to 
seek  my  company  and  give  good  attention  to  preaching. 
He  became  deeply  convicted  and  was  happily  converted, 
and  I  took  him  into  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and 
sent  his  name  to  the  home  church  the  day  I  started  home. 
If  I  had  gone  home  at  the  time  I  first  proposed,  he 
might  not  have  been  converted.  Just  before  he  breath- 
ed his  last  I  asked  him  about  his  case.  He  sweetly 
smiled  and  said:  "Bro.  Betts  as  soon  as  I  die  I  shall  go 
straight  to  my  blessed  Jesus ! ' '  That  was  a  happy  mo- 
ment to  me.  As  I  write  about  it  in  October  1896  the  joy 
I  feel  pays  me  a  thousand  times  for  all  the  nights  I  ever 
slept  on  frozen  ground,  snow  or  mud. 

October  16 — Rain  a.  m.  Bury  Ruffin.  Send  sick 
and  wounded  to  Rappahannock  Station  by  Dr.  W. 
Leave  and  follow  Regiment,  and  sleep  in  vacant  house 
at  Greenwich.  Visit  Mr.  Green,  a  British  subject.   Sup- 


48 

per  and.  breakfast  with  W.  T.  Hall,  of  the  oldest  M.  E. 
Church  in  Prince  William  County. 

October  17 — Ride  on  with  Bro.  Hall.  Dine  with 
Mr.  Peters.  His  wife  presents  me  an  overcoat  and  $4.00. 
Wife's  letter  tells  me  that  Dr.  J.  F.  Foard  sent  her  a 
barrel  of  flour.     Camp  near  W.  Junction. 

Sunday,  Oct.  18 — Pass  up  R.  R.  My  pony  mires 
and  wets  my  feet.  Preach  to  Dole's  Brigade  in  p.  m. 
Bro.  Marshall  preaches  to  my  Regiment  in  p.  m.  Cross 
river  on  Pontoon  bridge  at  night. 

Oct.  19 — Brigade  crosses  in  rain. 

Oct.  20 — Dine  with  Rev.  Brannin,  of  Baltimore 
Conference.    Prayer  at  night. 

Oct.  21 — Move  camp  at  night. 

Oct.  22 — Fix  desk  and  have  fever,  as  yesterday. 

Oct.  23 — Rain.  Build  chapel.  My  colonel  or  other 
officers  commanding  my  Regiment,  always  seemed 
glad  to  give  me  any  needed  help  to  prepare  for  preach- 
ing— giving  me  a  wagon,  a  detail  of  men. 

Oct.  24 — Finish  chapel. 

Oct.  25 — Preach  a.  m.  Prayer  meeting  p.  m. 
Prayer  with  Co.  "H"  at  night. 

Oct.  26  -Cold.     Prayer  with  Co.  "F"  at  night. 

Oct.  27 — Ride  to  Cook's  Brigade.  See  Revs.  Fairly 
and  Plyler.     Prayer  in  Co.  "K"  at  night. 

Oct.  28 — Prayer  in  Co.  "E."     Write  sundry  letters. 

Oct.  29 — Election  for  Congress.  N.  C.  soldiers  vote. 
Build  my  log  cabin— 5  feet  wide  and  6  feet  long— nice 
stick  chimney — oil  cloth  roof.  Nice  place  to  read  and 
write  and  talk  to  one  friend  at  a  time.  Sat  on  my  bed 
(canvas  on  two  poles)  and  put  my  feet  to  the  fire,  and 
wrote  on  a  little  box  desk.     Prayer  in  Co.  "C." 

Oct.  30 — Finish  cabin.  Prayer  meeting  in  Regi- 
ment. 

Oct.  31 — Rain  in  a.  m.  Dine  with  Rev.  Brannin. 
Call  on  Rev.  Wilson,  of  Chapel  Hill,  and  Rev.  Emer- 


49 

son,  of  Chatham,  in  Johnson's  Brigade.  Prayer  in  Co. 
"A"  at  night. 

Nov.  1,  1863— Fine  day.  Rev.  Anderson,  Chaplain 
4th  Regiment,  preaches  his  first  sermon  at  my  chapel. 
Why  don't  I  hear  from  wife  ?  Thirteen  days  ago  she 
was  not  well.  May  be  in  heaven !  God's  will  be  done ! 
Get  letter.     All  well.     Prayer  meeting  at  night. 

Nov.  2 — Pastoral  work  in  Regiment.  Prayer  in  Co. 
"G"  at  night, 

Nov.  3 — Organize  Bible  class  in  Co.  "G."  Dine 
with  Bro.  Brannin.    Prayer  in  Co.  "B"  at  night. 

Nov.  4 — Pastoral  work.  Call  on  Chaplain  Murphy 
of  32nd  Regiment.     Pray  with  Co.  "G"  at  night. 

Nov.  6— Day  with  Regiment.  Dine  with  Rev.  Dr. 
Rosser  at  Bro.  Brannin 's. 

Saturday,  Nov.  7 — Hear  Dr.  Rosser  preach  to  4th 
and  1.4th  Regiments.  Get  bottle  of  sacramental  wine. 
While  reading  a  letter  from  wife,  a  fierce  cannonade 
begins  at  Kelly's  Ford,  where  the  2nd  and  3rd  suffer 
sadly.  Lieut.  Col.  Sillers  is  mortally  wounded.  Some 
are  wounded  and  many  captured.  Army  falls  back.  I 
tear  down  my  little  house  to  get  my  cot  out.  Had  oc- 
cupied the  sweet  little  home  one  week.  Felt  some  re- 
gret, as  I  may  feel,  when  called  to  leave  the  "earthly 
house"  I  now  occupy  in  flesh.  Sleep  a  little  on  the 
road,  and  get  «to  Brandy  Station  at  2  a.  m. 

Nov.  8 — Pass  on  and  get  to  Rapidan  Station  and 
spend  night.  Sorry  I  could  not  find  Col.  Sillers  last 
night.     Brigade  crosses  at  Raccoon  Ford  late  at  night. 

Nov.  9 — Ride  down  the  river  to  the  camp  we  left  a 
month  ago  to-day.  Find  Brigade  there.  Snows  a  little. 
Prayers  at  night. 

Nov.  10 — Anxious  to  hear  from  Col.  Sillers,  I  ride 
to  Orange  court  house,  but  hear  on  the  way  he  died  at 
Gordonville  at  9  a.  m.  yesterday.  Shall  I  see  him  on 
earth  no  more  ?  Telegraph  to  learn  his  body  has  been 
sent  home,     Telegraph  to  my  wife  also. 


50 

Nov.  11 — Get  telegram  that  Sillers'  body  is  still  at 
Gordonville.  Take  cars  to  Gordonsville  and  find  his 
body  nicely  packed  in  charcoal.  Return  to  Orange 
Court  House  and  spend  night  at  Bro.  Walker's,  eight 
miles  toward  camp. 

Nov.  12 — Return  to  camp.  Meet  Johnston's  divi- 
sion. 

Nov.  13 — Just  as  Bro.  McAlpin  is  about  to  begin  a 
sermon  to  us,  we  get  orders  to  march.  We  march  five 
or  six  miles  out  and  go  into  camp. 

Nov.  15 — In  camp.     Rain  in  p.  m. 

Nov.  16 — Rain  in  a.  m.  Duel  between  the  armies 
at  Morton's  Ford.  Division  hurries  down  toward 
Morton's  Ford,  but  returns  to  camp.  Interesting 
prayer  meeting. 

Nov.  17 — Rev.  Dr.  Bikle  prays  with  us. 

Nov.  18 — Ride  to  Cook's  Brigade.  See  Rev.  Plyler, 
Dodson,  Westbrook,  etc.  Visit  Kirkland's  Brigade. 
Sup  with  old  Bro.  Newman.  Spend  night  with  Bro. 
Kennedy,  28th  N.  C.  Regiment. 

Nov.  19— Visit  Col.  Barbour,  37th  N.  C.  Regiment 
and  Col.  Barry,  18th,  etc.  Bro.  Kennedy  rides  with 
me  to  Scale's  Brigade.  Meet  Rev.  Bennick.  Visit  Col. 
Galloway,  etc.  Return  to  camp  late  and  weary.  I  was 
visiting  Colonels  to  get  them  to  send  to  our  Conference 
for  Chaplains. 

Nov.  20 — Preach  at  night.  Disturbed  by  men  in 
two  companies  singing  near  our  place  of  worship ;  but 
God  was  with  us  and  converted  L.  W.  Johnson,  Co.  A. 

Nov.  21 — Rain.  Rain.  Raise  some  money  to  get 
religious  papers. 

Nov.  22 — Preach  in  a.  m.  Dr.  Bikle  preaches  at 
noon.     Regiment  goes  on  picket  at  night. 

Nov.  23 — Visit  Regiment  on  picket. 

Nov.  24 — Ride  to  Orange  Court  House.  Chaplains 
do  not  meet.     Rain.     Night  in  Scale's  Brigade.     CoJ. 


51 

Galloway  and  Col.  Coleman  give  me  orders  on  Bishop 
Pierce  for  Chaplains. 

Nov.  25 — Go  to  Richmond. 

Nov.  26— Get  to  Raleigh  at  midnight,  with  Revs. 
Dodson  and  Plyler.     Night  at  Bain's  Hotel. 

Nov.  27 — In  city  a.  m.     Buy  cloth  for  grey  suit  for 

forty  dollars.    Visit  Legislature.     Go  to  Bio.    Alvin's 

near  Cary.    Mother  just  gone  to  her  home  in  Harnett. 

Missed  her. 

Nov.  28 — Got  home  to  breakfast. 

Nov.  29 — Bro.  Cunninggim  preaches  morning  and 
night.     I  preach  in  the  afteruoon. 

Dec.  1 — Go  to  Hillsboro.  Call  on  Aunt  Martha 
Utley.  The  Lord  is  with  her.  Reach  Greensboro  and 
stop  with  Bro.  Wm.  E.  Edwards,  near  depot, 

Dec.  2 — Conference  meets  in  M.  E,  Church. 

Dec.  3 — Army  Commission  reports. 

Dec.  4 — Dr.  Deems  preaches  funeral  of  Rev.  J.  C. 
Brent.    Wife  comes  on  night  train. 

Dec.  5 — Wife  and  I  dine  with  Sister  Bumpass. 

Dec.  6 — Bishop  Pierce  preaches  at  11  a.  m.  Com- 
munion at  night. 

Dec.  7 — Conference  closed  late  at  night.     Wife  and 

I  sup  at  Mr.  Van  Bokelin's.     Bro.  N.  F.  Reid  gives  us 

an  order  on  Bro.  Selby  for  three  months'  salary. 

Dec.   8 — Leave  Greensboro  at  3  a.  m.,  and  go  to 

Hillsboro,  and  over  to  Chapel  Hill  in  p.  m.,  with  Mrs. 

John  Watson. 

Dec.  9— Pay  rent,  etc.     Gather  Bibles,  Testaments, 

etc.,  for  my  Regiment. 

Dec.  10 — Fast  and  pray.     Preach  in  M.  E.  Church. 

Dec.  11 — Walk  and  ride  to  Mrs.  Fearingtons'  and 

get    Melvin    Baldwin's    horse,    and   ride   by   William 

Merritt's  and  thence  to  Bro.  Purifoy's  and  then  walk 

home. 

Dec.  13— Hear  Bro.  William  Closs  preach  at  11  a.  m. 

and  Bro.  Jenkins  at  night.  Last  evening  with  my 
family. 


52 

Dec.  14 — Leave  at  3  a.  in.  See  Bros.  Pell  and 
Crowder  in  Raleigh.  Try  to  see  Bro.  Hufharn.  Leave 
at  midnight. 

Dec.  15 — Go  to  Richmond. 

Dec.  16— Get  to  Orange  Court  House.  Meet  Rev. 
Mr.  Harris,  of  Lynchburg.     Stop  at  Dr.  Black's. 

Dec.  17 — Rain  and  sleet.     Cannot  get  to  Regiment. 

Dec.  18 — Ride  to  Regiment  near  Morton's  Ford. 

Dec.  22 — Visit  Cook's  Brigade.  See  Lieut.  Hanner, 
Revs.  Plyler,  Dodson,  Marsh,  and  return  by  55th  Regi- 
ment and  see  Lieut.  Hoyle. 

Dec.  23 — Snow  and  very  cold. 

Dec.  24 — No  chimney  to  my  tent.    Very  cold. 

Dec.  26 — Ride  to  Orange  Court  House  and  learn 
that  J.  A.  Pegram  had  died  suddenly  last  night  at  Dr. 
Black's  hospital. 

Dec.  27 — Rain.  Rain.  No  preaching.  Prayer 
meeting  in  Co.  E. 

Dec.  28 — Get  tent  of  my  own.     Rain. 

Dec.  29 — Clear  and  very  muddy.  Meet  Chaplains 
at  Pisgah  Church.  Night  in  my  own  tent.  Pay  fifteen 
dollars  for  building  wall  and  chimney. 

Dec.  30 — Prayer  meeting  in  some  Co.  every  night — 
in  "G"  tonight.  Good  men.  Every  night,  everywhere, 
Co.  G.  has  family  prayers.     Cheatham  is  sick. 

Dec.  31- — Writing  and  reading  until  near  midnight. 
Write  to  Mary.  Keep  "watch  night."  On  my  knees 
at  midnight.  A  New  Year  begins !  Oh,  may  it  be  a 
good  year !  May  it  bring  peace  to  my  land !  May  it 
carry  me  and  my  fellow  soldiers  to  our  several  homes. 
Sorry  for  the  follies  of  the  past  year.  May  I  be  able  to 
spend  the  new  one  more  for  God's  glory ! 

Jan.  1,  1864 — Turns  exceedingly  cold  in  p.  m. 
Write  for  "Recorder"  till  midnight. 

Sunday,  Jan.  3—1  go  to  Regiment  on  picket. 
Prayer  in  Co.  C. 


53 

Jan.  4 — Snows  all  day.  In  snow  getting  boards  to 
cover  my  church. 

Jan.  5 — Get  three  wagons  to  take  my  boards  to 
camp.  Rev.  J.  J.  Hines,  sent  by  Bishop  Pierce  to  be  a 
Chaplain  for  Hoke's  Brigade,  arrives  and  spends  night 
with  me. 

Jan.  6 — Carry  Bro.  Hines  to  Hoke's  Brigade.  Make 
arrangements  for  his  comfort  and  return. 

Jan,  7 — Call  to  see  Bro.  Howard,  colporter  for 
Johnston's  Brigade. 

Jan.  8 — Ride  to  Orange  with  Bro.  Anderson.  Ten 
Chaplains  there.  No  regular  meeting.  Postoffice  clerks 
offended.  Some  time  before  I  had  found  a  large  amount 
of  printed  matter  at  the  Post  Office  for  my  Regiment, 
which  the  clerks  had  neglected  to  send  us  from  day  to 
day.  I  wrote  a  note  to  the  Postmaster  and  asked  him 
to  stir  up  his  clerks.  I  presume  he  stirred  them  up. 
Borne  of  the  handsome  young  men  were  of  the  right 
age  to  be  soldiers.  They  had  been  detailed  as  Army 
postal  clerks.  My  note  to  the  Chief  gave  them  some  fear 
of  being  sent  to  ranks.  They  looked  at  me  in  anger 
and  asked  me  to  tell  them  when  I  had  anything  to  com- 
plain of.  I  am  glad  to  say  I  never  found  occasion  to 
complain  again. 

Sunday,  Jan.  10 — Cold.  Prayer  meetings  in  Com- 
pany quarters. 

Jan.  11 — Get  a  few  poles  for  my  chapel. 

Jan.  12--Meet  Chaplains  at  Pisgah.  Get  poles  all 
cut  for  chapel. 

Jan.  13 — Haul  poles  and  begin  my  chapel. 

Jan.  14 — Still  at  work  on  chapel.  Chaplains  of  this 
division  met  in  my  tent  yesterday. 

Jan.  16- -Get  roof  and  chimneys  finished.  Having 
labored  with  my  detail  and  conducted  prayer  meeting 
every  night,  I  feel  very  much  wearied. 

Jan.  17 — Preach  in  chapel  a.  m.  Bible  class  in  p. 
m.    Prayer  meeting  in  Co.  I  at  night. 


54 

Jan.  20 — Rev.  Henry  Hardie  calls  and  prays  with 
me.     Bible  class  at  night. 

Jan.  21 — Ride  by  Kirkland's  Brigade  and  see  Bros. 
Webb,  Lacy  and  Smith.  Chapel  up.  Meet  Bros.  Hines 
and  Paris  on  their  way  to  North  Carolina  with  Hoke's 
Brigade.  Go  late  to  Lane's  Brigade,  looking  for  Bro. 
Westbrook.     Night  with  Bro.  Kennedy. 

Jan.  22 — Return  to  Regiment  and  find  Col.  Parker 
arrived  yesterday. 

Jan.  23--Ride  with  Bro.  N.  B.  Cobb  to  see  John- 
ston's Brigade  and  also  see  Bro.  Gwaltney  in  First 
North  Carolina  Regiment.  Bro.  Robbins,  (J.  H.)  12th 
Regiment,  arrives  and  preaches  for  me. 

Jan.  24 — Bro.  Harding  preaches  for  me  in  a.m.  Bible 
class  in  p.  m.  Bro.  Gwaltney  preaches  for  me  at  night. 
Bro.  Robbins  spends  night  with  me. 

Jan.  25 — In  camp.  Prayer  meeting  in  Co.  A.  at 
night. 

Jan.  26 — Meet  Chaplains  at  Bro.  Booker's  chapel 
in  Jones'  Brigade.  Bro.  Cobb  preaches.  About  fifteen 
Chaplains  present.  Near  twenty  chapels  being  built  in 
this  army.     Bro.  Robbaafs  moves  to  his  Regiment. 

Jan.  27 — Exceedingly  warm. 

Jan.  28 — Bros.  Anderson,  Robbins  and  I  visit  the 
provost  guard  and  prisoners  in  Rodes'  Division.  One 
prisoner  is  to  be  shot. 

Jan.  29 — Bro.  Robbins  and  I  walk  to  Bro.  Gwalt- 
ney's  Regiment.    I  preach. 

Jan.  30— Right  unwell.  Bro.  Robbins  spends  night 
with  me.     Regiment  goes  on  picket. 

Sunday,  Jan.  31— Bro.  Evans  and  I  visit  and  preach 
to  provost  guard  and  prisoners.  New  prison.  Visit 
prisoners  also. 

Feb.  2,  1864— Meet  Chaplains.  Prayer  meeting  at 
Bro.  Booker's  chapel.  Write  to  Henry  and  his  mother. 
Eight  years  old  today  ! 


55 

Feb.  4— Walk  to  Battle's  Brigade  and  see  Bros. 
Currin  and  Rutledge,  Chaplains.  Walk  to  saw  mill 
and  thence  to  12th  North  Carolina.  Bro.  Evans  spends 
night  with  me. 

Feb.  5— Preach  in  Bro.  Booker's  chapel  in  a.  m. 
Bro.  Robbins  in  Bro.  Butler's  at  night.  Bro.  Robbins 
spends  night  with  me. 

Feb.  6,  1864— Revs.  F.  H.  Wood  and  J.  H.  Colton 
arrive.  I  get  a  ream  of  heavy  paper.  The  manufac- 
turers in  Wake  County  sent  it  to  me,  at  my  request,  to 
be  given  to  the  men  of  my  Regiment  for  writing  paper. 
Sheets  were  very  large.  Yankees  cross  Rapidan  and 
our  men  repel  them. 

Sunday,  Feb.  7 — As  my  Regiment  did  not  return 
from  picket,  I  go  to  see  provost  guard  and  prisoners 
and  worship  with  them.     One  is  to  be  shot. 

Feb.  9— Meet  Chaplains  in  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Orange  Court  House.  Dr.  Witherspoon  preaches.  Gen. 
Lee  is  there.    Bro.  Harding  preaches  for  me  at  night. 

Feb.  10 — I  divided  a  large  lot  of  paper  with  my 
men.     Bro.  Evans,  4th  Ga.,  preaches  for  me  at  night. 

Feb.  11 — Bro.  Gwaltney  preaches  at  night 

Feb.  12— Bro.  Jones,  25th  Ya,,  preaches. 

Feb.  13— Bro.  Nelson,  44th  Ya,,  preaches.  Dr. 
Grissom  is  in  camp. 

Feb.  14 — Preach  to  my  Regiment. 

Feb.  16— Snow  on  the  ground.  Bro.  Lee,  5th  Ya., 
comes  to  see  me  and  prays  with  me. 

Feb.  17— Bitter  cold. 

Feb.  18— Still  bitter  cold. 

Feb.  19— At  night.  Bros.  Anderson,  Evans,  and 
Power  join  me  and  my  Regiment  in  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Feb.  2C — Regiment  goes  on  picket. 

Feb.  21 — Preach  to  2nd  Regiment  in  a.  m.,  and  to 
4th  at  night.     Dr.  Lloyd  spends  night  with  me. 

Feb.  2a — Start  to  North  Carolina. 
.      Feb.  23— Meet  Dr.  Craven  in  Raleigh. 


56 

Feb.  24 — Get  home  to  breakfast.  A.  H.  Merritt 
calls  and  shows  us  kindness. 

Feb.  25— Ride  with  family  to  Merritt 's  Chapel.  Meet 
Rev.  J.  B.  Martin.  Preach  for  him.  Pay  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  ($250)  for  a  cow. 

Feb.  26-7— At  home. 

Feb.  28 — Hear  Rev.  R.  A.  Willis  preach  twice  in  M. 
E.  Chnreh. 

Feb.  29 — Build  pen  for  cow  and  calf.  Bro.  Willis 
sups  with  us.     God  keep  my  family,  now  and  forever. 

Mar.  1,  '64— Start  at  3  a,  m.  Meet  Bros.  Selby, 
Branson,  and  Cunninggim  in  Raleigh.  Meet  Bros. 
Burkhead,  Henderson,  M.  C.  Thomas,  J.  B.  Williams, 
and  W.  B.  Richardson  on  train.     Night  in  Richmond. 

Mar.  2— Meet  Bro.  H.  H.  Gibbons. 

Mar.  8 — Detained  in  Richmond  by  the  raiders  be- 
tween us  and  Lee's  army.  Bros.  Gibbons,  Richardson 
and  I  visit  hospitals  and  penitentiary. 

Mar.  4 — Visit  Federal  prisoners  on  Belle  Island  and 
hospital  No.  24. 

Mar.  5 — Bros.  Gibbons  and  Richardson  go  with  me 
to  my  Regiment  near  Orange  Court  House  and  spend 
night  with  me. 

Mar.  6 — Bro.  Richardson  preaches  for  me  in  a.  m., 
and  Bro.  Gibbons  for  2nd  Regiment  in  p.  m.  Very 
unwell  at  night. 

Mar.  7— Walk  with  Bro.  Richardson  to  his  Regi- 
ment.   Bro.  Gibbons  preached  for  me  at  night. 

Mar.  8 — Bro.  Richardson  preaches  for  me  at  night. 

Mar.  9 — He  leaves  for  North  Carolina  against  my 
earnest  advice.  Bro.  Gibbons  goes  to  see  R.  IS.  Webb. 
Squires  starts  writing  school  again.  I  preach  at  uight. 
My  Colonel  was  kind  enough  to  detail  Squires  to  teach 
a  writing  school  in  my  chapel.  The  Captains  allowed 
men  to  attend  the  school  when  not  on  duty.  (Many 
men  learned  to  write  during  the  war). 


57 

Mar.  10— Rain  all  day.  Write  many  letters.  Hear 
from  wife,  and  Rev.  L.  S.  Burkhead. 

Mar.  12 — Walk  to  see  Revs.  Colton  and  Harding. 
Bro.  Gibbons  preaches  for  me  at  night  and  spends  the 
night  with  me. 

Mar.  13 — Preach  to  Daniels'  Brigade  in  church  in  a. 
m.  and  return  to  Power's  Chapel  in  time  for  commun- 
ion, where  Bro.  Gibbons  had  just  preached.  Bible  class 
in  my  chapel  in  p.  m.     I  preach  at  night. 

Mar.  14 — Go  to  Orange  Court  house  with  Bro.  Gib- 
bons and  see  him  off  to  North  Carolina.  Prayer  meet- 
ing at  night. 

Mar.  15 — Prayer  meeting  in  K. 

Mar.  16 — Prayer  meeting  in  B. 

Mar.  17 — Prayer  meeting  in  I. 

Mar.  18 — Prayer  meeting  in  F. 

Mar.  19 — Regiment  goes  on  picket.  I  preach  for 
4th  Regiment. 

Sunday,  Mar.  20 — Hear  Bro.  B.  F,  Long  preach  in 
5th  North  Carolina;  communion  there.  I  preach  to 
division  provost  guard  and  prisoners  in  p.  m.  Bro. 
Richardson  arrives  from  North  Carolina. 

Mar.  21 — Visit  Daniel's  Brigade.    Very  cold. 

Mar.  22 — Meet  Chaplains.  Dr.  Granberry  preaches. 
Gen.  Lee  there.  Snow  falls  about  18  inches.  Bro. 
Richardson  with  me. 

Mar.  23 — He  moves  his  Regiment. 

Mar.  24 — Snow  still  on  ground.  My  pony  gives 
birth  to  a  female  pony. 

Mar.  25— Gov.  Vance  arrives  in  Daniel's  Brigade. 
Mar.  26 — Visit  Bro.  Richardson.    Gov.  Vance  ad- 
dresses large  crowd. 

Sunday,  Mar.  27 — Preach  in  a.  m.,  "  Love  God.  " 
Bible  class  in  p.  m.  Preach  at  night,  "  Love  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself.  ' ' 

Mar.     28— Gov.     Vance    reviews    North    Carolina 


58 

troops  in  this  corps  and  addresses  them — "Fellow  Tar- 
Heels  !  " 

Mar.  31 — Finished  reading  Trumbull's  "Christ  in 
History.  "     Began  "  Mercy  Seat "  by  Dr.  Spring. 

Apr.  3,  '64— Preach  in  a.  m.  on  Psalms  I.  At  night 
on  "  Grow  in  Grace.  " 

Apr.  5 — Snow  and  rain.  Chaplain  Westbrook  ar- 
rives. 

Apr.  6— Go  with  Westbrook  to  Lane's  Brigade. 

Apr.  7 — Preach  at  night. 

Friday,  Apr.  8 — Solemn  day.  Preach  twice.  Lord, 
hear  and  answer  the  prayers  of  this  day ! 

Apr,  10 — Preach  twice.    Rain,  rain. 

(Note — The  kind  reader,  sitting  in  a  warm  room, 
will  please  not  be  offended  when  I  write  of  ' '  rain. ' ' 
Remember,  that  a  cold  rain  in  April  in  camp,  means 
something  to  a  soldier. ) 

Apr.  11 — Rev  B.  T.  Lacy  gives  his  lecture  in  Rev- 
W.  C.  Power's  Chapel. 

Apr.  17 — Preach  to  2nd  N.  C.  Regiment  in  a.  in., 
and  to  Division  Provost  Guard  and  prisoners  in  p.  m. 

Apr.  19 — Meet  Chaplains  in  Orange  Court  House. 
Gracious  meeting.  Rev.  Bellinger  brings  note  from 
Rev.  C.  W.  Westbrook,  who  is  sick.  I  love  Pellinger 
because  he  has  preached  to  18th  N.  C.  Regiment. 

Apr.  24 — Preach  in  a.  m.  and  night.  Visit  five  men 
condemned  to  be  shot.     They  are  deeply  penitent. 

Apr.  25 — Preach  to  prisoners  and  guard.  Pleasant 
communion  service  in  my  chapel  at  night. 

Apr.  26 — Meet  Chaplains. 

Apr.  27 — Preach  in  my  chapel  at  night. 

Apr.  28 — See  three  men,  from  Wilkes  County,  shot 
for  desertion. 

Apr.  30  (Saturday; — Talk  with  penitents  and  con- 
verts. 

May  1 — Hear  Brother  Power  in  his  chapel,   and 

commune  with  about  one-hundred  in  a.  m.     Meet  my 


59 

Bible  class  in  p.  m.,  and  preach  in  my  chapel  at  night# 
Receive  two  into  the  Church. 

May  3 — In  Richmond.  Hear  Bro.  Christian  in  Clay 
Street  at  night.     Good  work  there. 

May  5 — See  over  a  thousand  Federal  prisoners  en- 
route  to  Orange  Court  House. 

May  6 — Meet  many  wounded.  Pleasant  worship 
with  my  Regiment.     Sizemore  of  Co.  G.  killed. 

May  7 — Not  much  fighting.  Spend  day  nursing 
wounded  Federals.  Find  a  son  of  Rev.  B.  H.  Hedge,  of 
Detroit  Conference,  M.  E.  Church,  of  Co.  I.  24th  Michi- 
gan Regiment.  Wounded  through  left  thigh.  Did  he 
get  home  ?    Is  he  still  living  ? 

May  8 — Marching  and  fighting.  Capt.  Mark  Moore 
fearfully  wounded.  Sergeants  Wells,  Morrison  and 
Whitehurst  killed. 

May  9 — Among  wounded.  Visit  Rev,  W.  B.  Owen, 
Chaplain  17th  Miss.  Regiment,  who  is  wounded.  Left 
elbow  joint  taken  out. 

May  10 — Terrible  fight  for  Doles'  and  Daniel's 
Brigades.     Col.  Hall  of  5th  Ala.,  lost  left  arm. 

May  11— Visit  Capt.  S.  A.  Sutton  of  45th  N.  C. 
Regiment,  who  is  wounded  and  was  my  college  class- 
mate. He  died  there.  Lieut.  Eubanks,  32nd  1ST.  C. 
Regiment  dies  in  peace. 

May  12 — Terriffic  fighting.  Many  are  wounded 
and  many  killed. 

(Note — Nine  years  of  married  life.  How  many 
more  ?) 

May  13 — Send  off  the  slightly  wounded.  My  wife's 
birthday — 27  years !     John  Hagler  dies  suddenly. 

May  14 — Among  the  wounded. 

Sunday,  May  15 — Ride  to  Brigade  and  take  a  shell- 
ing. Pray  with  2nd  and  30th  Regiments.  Suddenly 
they  are  ordered  off. 

May  16 — Send  off  a  few  wounded. 


60 

May  17 — Send  worst  wounded  to  a  new  corps 
hospital.     Woniack  and  Ross  die. 

May  18 — Send  more  wounded  off  to  Railroad. 

May  19— Second  Corps  has  a  fight.  Many  are 
wounded  and  some  killed.  Spend  part  of  the  day  at 
General  Hospital.     Am  up  nearly  all  night. 

May  20 — Yery  unwell  all  day.     Take  medicine. 

May  21 — Rev.  Evans  and  I,  too  unwell  to  march, 
report  to  Dr.  Black  at  corps  hospital  and  receive  kind 
attention. 

May  22 — Dr.  Black  puts  me  on  ambulance.  His 
train  moves  till  in  the  night. 

May  24 — Move  on.     Get  three  letters  from  my  wife. 

May  26 — Ride  through  wind  and  rain  to  wagon 
train. 

May  27 — Walk  past  Ashland.  Rest  and  receive 
kindness  from  Mrs.  Charles  Stibbins.  Halt  at  mid- 
night below  Hanover  Court  House. 

May  28 — Walk  on  rapidly  and  spend  some  time 
with  my  Regiment.    Fight  begins  at  twelve. 

May  30 — Go  to  Richmond.  Capt.  Freeman,  Lieut. 
Lemay  and  George  Stanback  are  killed. 

June  1 — Go  to  Regiment  and  fiud  many  of  my  men 
in  Winder  Hospital.  Busy  and  very  weary.  Return 
and  spend  an  hour  with  Rev.  Dr.  Rosser.  Spend  night 
at  wagons. 

June  2 — Meet  Revs.  Hines,  Power,  Webb,  Plyler 
and  others. 

June  4 — At  hospital. 

June  5 — Preach  to  my  Regiment  and  hear  Patter- 
son and  Brown  at  hospital. 

June  6 — Ride  into  Richmond  and  hunt  up  several 
wounded  at  sundry  hospitals  and  greatly  fatigue  my- 
self. 

June  7 — Walk,  walk,  walk.  Secure  Pell's  transfer. 
Find  Burroughs  dying.  Visit  many  wounded.  Return 
to  wagons. 


61 

(Note— Found  Wm.  E.  Pell,  son  of  Rev.  W.  E. 
Pell,  of  N;  0.  Conference,  at  Chimborazo  Hospital.  He 
told  me  he  wished  to  get  to  some  other.  He  was  well 
cared  for ;  but  was  the  only  N.  C.  soldier  there  and  was 
lonely.  I  secured  his  transfer  to  N.  C.  Hospital  in  the 
same  city.  He  lovingly  reminded  me  of  it  frequently 
in  Raleigh  after  the  war. ) 

June  8— Preach  to  my  Regiment.  Messing  with 
Dr.  G.  L.  Kirby. 

June  9 — Rev.  N.  B.  Cobb  preaches  for  me.  Di- 
vision moves  and  he  and  I  go  to  Richmond  at  midnight. 

June  10 — Visit  wounded  in  two  hospitals. 

Sunday,  June  12 — Rev.  Best  preaches  for  me,  and 
Dr.  Brown  for  4th  Regiment. 

June  13 — Early's  Corps  starts  to  Lynchburg  to 
drive  Hunter  away.  In  twenty-nine  days  we  reached 
Washington  City,  having  passed  Lynchburg,  the  Na- 
tural Bridge,  Lexington,  Staunton,  Sharpsburg,  Fred- 
erick City'  etc.     What  a  tramp ! 

July  9,  '64 — Pass  J.  and  rest  near  Frederick  City. 
Meet  Col.  Carmack,  Mr.  Joseph  Shawen,  Mr.  Jones  and 
Mr.  Elridge.  Receive  kindness.  Camp  near  Monocasy. 
Meet  Revs.  Kinzie  and  Reese. 

Sunday,  July  10 — Move  all  day  and  camp  near 
Rockville.  Baptize  three  children  for  Robert  J.  Henly, 
Middle  Brook,  Md.,  and  one  for  S.  Mullican,  Forest 
Oak,  Md.  We  marched  all  that  Sabbath,  but  I  took 
time  to  stop  and  dedicate  those  children  to  the  Lord. 

July  11 — Pass  R.  and  see  Rev.  Leach.  Move  on 
through  excessive  heat  to  the  "  Blair  House,"  near  for- 
tifications around  Washington  City.  First  shell  from 
Federal  fort  falls  in  a  grove  near  us  about  2  p.  m. 

July  12 — Shelling  and  sharp  shooting.  Shearin 
and  Penny  killed.  Dement  mortally  wounded.  At 
night  we  begin  to  fall  back.  Tiresome  night.  Troops 
halted  to  rest  ten  minutes  in  each  hour.  Many  fell 
asleep  perhaps  for  eight  minutes  out  of  ten.     Just  be- 


62 

fore  day  I  was  so  tired  and  sleepy  that  I  turned  aside  to 
rest.  I  found  a  little  graveyard  near  the  roadside.  I 
knew  some  one  might  steal  one  of  the  two  horses  I  had 
charge  of  if  I  tied  them  and  went  to  sleep.  So  I  laid 
down  and  drew  the  bridle  reins  through  the  fence  and 
put  my  arm  into  each.  I  was  soon  asleep.  One  horse, 
I  suppose,  bit  the  other.  A  sudden  and  fearful  pulling 
of  the  arm  awoke  me.     Sleep  was  gone. 

July  13 — Pass  Rockville  and  Poolvilie. 

July  14 — Cross  Potomac.  As  I  came  near  the  river, 
a  straggling  soldier  shouted  to  me  and  asked  me  to  let 
him  ride  the  horse  I  was  leading.  I  told  him  the  horse's 
back  was  so  sore  I  could  not  myself  ride  him.  In  a 
sharp  angry  tone  he  replied,  "Yes,  you  think  more  of  a 
horse  than  you  do  of  a  man."  I  stopped.  As  he  came 
near,  I  said,  "Young  man,  you  ought  not  to  speak  to 
me  that  way.  I  have  waded  the  James  and  the  Poto- 
mac for  a  sick  man  to  ride  my  horse.  I  will  now  wade 
this  river  and  let  you  ride  over."  He  did  not  wait  for 
me  to  dismount.  He  hurried  into  the  warm,  shallow 
water.  I  trust  he  and  each  reader  will  be  slower  to 
judge  others  than  he  was  that  day. 

July  15 — Buy  a  little  black  mare  for  fifty  dollars 
from  the  Quarter  Master. 

July  16 — Ride  early  to  Leesburg  to  get  shoe  and 
pants  mended.  Division  passes  Hamilton  and  cross 
mountain  at  Snicker's  Gap. 

July  17— Meet  Rev.  F.  O.  Tebbs. 

July  18 — Hot  fight  near  Snicker's  Ferry.  Sergeant 
Black  and  others  killed.  Colonels  Wool,  Owen,  Stall  - 
ings,  etc.     Alas ! 

July  19 — At  Hospital.     Division  moves  at  night. 

July  20 — Division  moves  by  White  Post  to  within 
one  and  a  half  miles  of  Winchester.  Meet  Revs.  Alli- 
man  and  Hedges. 

July  21 — Move  by  Middletown  and  camp  on  Cedar 
Creek. 


63 

July  22 — Division  moves  through  Strasburg  and 
camps  near  by. 

July  23 — Rest  all  day  and  sleep.  Hold  prayers  at 
night. 

July  24 — Whole  army  moves  back  to  Winchester 
and  drives  the  enemy  with  terror  from  their  positions 
above  and  about  Winchester.  Follow  them  four  miles 
below  Winchester  and  camp.  Many  wagons  burned. 
Rain  at  night. 

July  26— Pass  on  to  Martinsburg,  but  the  enemy 
was  gone.  Camp  near  railroad  and  begin  to  tear  up 
the  track.     Hear  Bro.  Thompson  preach. 

July  27— Preaeh  for  Doles'  Brigade.  Bro.  Pow- 
ledge  preaches  for  us. 

July  29 — Division  moves  early  to  Williamsport 
Ferry. 

July  30 — Move  early  to  the  camp  we  left  yesterday. 
Hear  from  Mary.  Needs  bread  and  money.  "Nobody 
wants  to  trust  you ! ' ' 

July  31 — Move  early  to  Bunker  Hill.  Our  Regi- 
ment sent  on  picket.    Preach  to  them  in  p.  m. 

August  4 — Move  through  Martinsburg  and  camp 
near  Falling  Water. 

August  5 — Move  early  and  cross  the  Potomac  and 
camp  a  little  beyond  St.  James  College. 

August  6 — Move  early  through  rain  and  stop  at 
Williamsport.  Meet  Mr.  E.  P.  Steffy  a  nd  others 
Quite  a  stir  about  those  hostages  from  Hagerstown. 
Cross  river  late  and  camp. 

August  7 — Move  early  past  M.  and  go  into  old  camp 
near  Bunker  Hill.  Such  running  and  chasing,  back 
and  forth,  crossing  and  re-crossing,  night  and  day ! 
Such  is  war. 

August  9 — Dine  with  Mr.  Woolridge. 

August  10 — Move  early.  Go  by  Mr.  Silver's  and 
spend  a  few  hours.  Ride  to  Division  four  miles  north 
of  Winchester. 


64 

August  12 — Move  and  camp  two  miles  N.  W.  of 
Strasburg. 

August  13 — Troops  in  line  of  battle. 

Sunday,  August  14 — Quiet.  Bro.  Power  preaches 
in  a.  m.  and  I  preach  in  p.  m.  Prayer  meeting  at 
night. 

August  16 — Preach  to  Hoke's  Brigade  in  a.  m.  and 
to  Johnston's  in  p.  m.     Prayer  meeting  at  night. 

August  17 — Our  men  drive  the  enemy  from  W. 
Mills. 

August  18— Pass  through  Winchester.  See  mills 
and  wheat  barns  lately  burned  by  the  enemy. 

August  19 — Move  early  towards  Bunker  Hill. 
Men  go  into  old  camp. 

August  20— Sudden  alarm.  Quiet  all  the  balance 
of  the  day. 

Sunday,  August  21 — Meet  Rev.  Wm,  Hank.  Heavy 
skirmish  most  of  the  day,  Five  in  my  Regiment  killed  : 
Pennington,  Williams,  Wilkins,  Newkirk  and  For- 
sythe. 

August  22 — Drive  enemy  through  Charlestown  and 
two  miles  beyond.     Heavy  rain. 

August  23— Quiet  all  day.  Sup  with  Bev.  J.  Wm. 
Jones  and  family.    Lovely  home. 

August  24 — Meet  Rev.  Marsh.  Sudden  attack  on 
our  front.     Soon  quiet. 

August  25 — Corps  moves  and  camps  about  Shep- 
ardstown.  Meet  Rev.  Kilgo  and  others.  My  birthday ! 
When  shall  I  spend  a  birthday  with  my  wife  and 
children? 

August  26 — Preach  to  Regiment.  Dine  at  Mrs. 
Evans'.  Troops  all  move  to  Leetown.  Meet  Chaplain 
Brooke,  of  Imboden's  Cavalry. 

August  27 — Division  moves  to  Bunker  Hill. 

August  28 — Preach  in  a.  m.     Hear  from  Mary. 

August  29 — Men  move  out  and  spend  day  on  pike. 
Spend  night  in  old  camp. 


65 

August  30— Brother  Rutledge  preaches  for  me 
Write  letter  of  condolence  to  Brother  L. 

August  31 — Division  moves  to  M.  and  drives  out 
enemy's  cavalry.  Returns  to  camp  weary.  I  dine 
with  Harry  Thomas. 

Sept.  1 — Regiment  on  picket. 

Friday,  Sept.  2 — Fast  and  pray. 

Sept.  3 — Day  spent  in  line  of  battle. 

Sept.  4 — Move  to  Jordan's  Springs  and  spend  p.  m. 
in  line  of  battle. 

Sept.  5 — Move  and  drive  enemy  on  Pike  and  camp 
near  Washington's  Farm. 

Sept.  6 — Rain,  rain. 

Sept.  7,  8,  9 — In  camp.     Meet  Rev.  Hetrick. 

Sept.  10 — Rodes  and  Ramseur  move  early  to  Bunker 
Hill. 

Sept.  11 — Rain.  Division  moves  back  and  camps 
midway  between  Winchester  and  Bunker  Hill. 

Sept.  12 — Meet  Revs.  Heterick,  Rogers  and  Pitzer. 
Hold  prayer  meeting. 

Sept.  13 — Sup  with  Mrs.  Silver.  Meet  Chaplain 
Stringfield  and  have  prayer  meeting  at  night. 

Sept.  15 — Regiment  on  picket. 

Sept.  16 — Fast  and  pray.    Hold  prayers. 

Sunday,  Sept.  18— Preach  in  a.  m. 

Sept.  19 — Engage  the  enemy  fiercely  near  Win- 
chester and  drive  them,  and  they  drive  us.  Gen. 
Rodes  killed.  Went  into  private  house  to  see  his  body 
after  he  was  brought  into  Winchester.  His  wife  had 
spent  some  time  in  camp  during  preceding  winter. 
We  fall  back  to  Strasburg,  marching  all  night.  Riding 
alone  and  very  sad,  at  midnight,  I  overtake  one  or 
two  thousand  Federal  prisoners.  They  began  to  sing, 
"  We  are  going  home  to  die  no  more."  My  heart  was 
touched.  I  shed  tears  as  I  thought  many  of  them 
would  die  in  Southern  prisons.  Get  fifty  Testaments, 
etc.     Take  position  on  breastworks  near  Strasburg. 


66 

Sept.  21 — Go  to  Woodstock  to  carry  Capt.  Allen's 
furlough.  He  had  "been  wounded  and  told  me  he  did 
not  wish  to  be  sent  to  a  hospital.  I  made  application 
for  special  wounded  furlough,  that  he  might  go  to  his 
parents  and  sisters  in  N.  O.  I  took  it  to  the  Regimental, 
Brigade,  Division  and  Corps  Commanders  and  secured 
each  signature  and  was  very  glad  when  I  could  make 
him  happy  by  starting  him  home.  This  Capt.  D.  C. 
Allen  was  a  brave,  wicked  man ;  but  he  lived  to  be  a 
Christian  and  his  daughter  is  wife  of  Rev.  E.  C.  Sell, 
of  the  N.  C.  Conference. 

Sept.  22--Willie's  birthday.  7  years.  Breakfast 
with  Rev.  Armstrong  at  Woodstock.  He  after  many 
years  gave  a  bright  son  to  N.  C.  as  a  Professor  in 
Trinity  College.  Return  to  Regiment.  Fight  and  re- 
treat to  Mt.  Jackson. 

Sept.  23 — Fast  and  pray.     Write  to  Mary.     Occupy 

Rode's  Hill. 

Sept.  24 — Retreat  slowly  under  constant  cannonad- 
ing. 

Sept.  25— Pass  K.  town,  Port  Republic,  and  camp 

near  Brown's  Gap.     Letter  from  wife  written  16th. 

Sept.  27 — Cross  above  Weir's  Cave,  driving  cavalry, 
return  and  camp  near  Cave.  I  visit  the  Cave.  Grand 
sight !  Eternal  night !  Many  rooms  connected  by  nar- 
row, crooked,  rough  passages. 

Sept.  28--Breakfast  with  Mr.  Hansberger.  Move 
slowly  towards  Waynesborough.     Camp  at  2  :30  a.  m. 

Sept.  30 — Visit  Waynesborough  and  get  wine  for 
Sacrament. 

Oct.    1,    1864 — Move    through  rain   and  mud  and 

camp  three  miles  beyond  New  Hope. 

Oct.  2- -I  preach  in  a.  m.  Brother  Power  preaches 
at  night. 

Oct.  5 — Ride  to  Waynesboro.  Spend  night  at  Hos- 
pital of  2nd  Corps. 

Oct.  6— Go  to  Richmond. 

Oct.  7 — In  the  City.     Very  busy. 


67 

Oct.  8 — Train  late.  Spend  night  at  Mr.  Goodwin's 
in  Charlottesville. 

Sunday,  Oct.  9- -Hear  Brother  Lindsay  preach. 
Attend  Sunday  School,  Get  to  terminus  of  Railroad 
near  Staunton.     Spend  very  cold  night  in  the  field. 

Oct.    10— Meet   Rev.    Dice.     Start  five  miles  with 

Oapt.  .     Night  at  Brother  Smith's  in  Mt. 

Sidney. 

Oct.  11 — Get  to  Harrisonburg.  Find  Foster  and 
Downes.     Start  two  miles  with  Dr.  Black's  train. 

Oct.  12— Get  to  Mt.  Jackson.  Find  Dr.  Triplett's 
family  in  great  sorrow.  Rev.  Henry  Hardin,  of  N.  O. 
had  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  T.  and  had  one  child,  a 
son,  of  one  year's  age.  I  had  seen  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hardin 
in  the  Valley  a  few  week's  before.  I  called.  Of  the 
woman  who  opened  the  door  I  inquired  the  where- 
abouts of  Rev.  Hardin.  She  said.  "He  left  here  three 
weeks  ago,  as  your  army  retreated.  We  have  not 
heard  from  him  since.  He  is  perhaps  in  North  Caro- 
lina. The  Federals  arrested  my  aged  husband  and  took 
him  up  the  Valley  that  day.  They  carried  him  through 
here  yesterday  in  an  ambulance  sick.  I  walked  beside 
him  a  short  distance  and  handed  him  some  clean  cloth- 
ing. I  cannot  tell  where  or  how  he  may  be  today. 
Last  night  my  daughter's  child  died."  As  she  said 
that  she  pushed  open  the  door,  and  I  saw  a  noble  look- 
ing woman  kneeling  by  the  sofa  on  which  lay  a  beauti- 
ful dead  child.  I  knelt  down  and  said,  "Let  us  pray !" 
The  Lord  did  help  us  to  cast  our  burden  on  Him.  We 
prayed  for  the  sick  grandfather,  for  the  young  father 
and  for  the  two  mothers.  I  saw  no  one  in  the  house 
except  the  two  women  and  the  dead  child.  When 
armies  were  passing  through  a  town  every  family  had 
to  "sorrow  alone."  As  I  rose  up  the  young  mother  re- 
mained kneeling,  but  turning  gave  me  her  hand  say- 
ing: "To  whom  am  I  indebted  for  this  great  kind- 
ness? "     I   never   gave   my  name  with  more   grateful 


68 

pleasure.  After  the  war,  Rev.  Mr.  H.  was  Agent  for 
the  American  Bible  Society  and  attended  sessions  of 
our  Methodist  Annual  Conference.  He  always  said : 
"  Brother  Betts,  wife  sends  love  to  you." 

After  some  years  I  saw  a  notice  of  his  death.  I 
felt  personally  bereaved.  Wishing  to  know  the  par- 
ticulars of  his  death  and  to  offer  my  sympathies  to  his 
family,  I  wrote  to  Mrs.  H.  at  J.  asking  her  to  tell  me 
about  his  death  and  send  me  his  picture.  She  sent  his 
picture  and  added  that  he  said  he  would  be  on  the 
banks  of  the  River  waiting  and  watching  for  her. 
Glory  to  God  for  such  a  hope  ! 

Oct.  13 — My  saddle  had  been  stolen  during  my  ab- 
sence. •  My  baggage  had  been  lost  or  misplaced.  I 
found  mine,  Dr.  Logan's,  Lieut.  McNeil's  and  Mr. 
Ball's  on  a  forage  wagon.  Sup  with  Brother  Arm- 
strong in  W.  and  spend  the  night  with  our  wagons 
near  Fisher's  Hill. 

Oct.  15 — In  line  of  battle. 

Oct.    16 — Quiet  in  camp.     I  preach   in  a.   m.  and 

hold  prayer  meeting  at  night.      Meet  Rev.  Hines, 

Oct.  17—On  picket.     Visit  Brother  Hines. 

Oct.  18 — Preach  to  Johnston's  Brigade.  Three  divis- 
ions move  all  night  to  get  on  enemy's  flank. 

Oct.  19 — Heavy  fight  and  victory  in  a.  m.  But  our 
lines  are  broken  in  p.  m.  and  we  suffer  much.  Oapt. 
Moore,  of  Co.  F.  is  killed.  Mr.  Elliott  and  Bro.  Kit- 
trell,  also,  are  killed.     We  fall  back  to  Fisher's  Hill, 

Oct.  20 — Move  to  camp  near  New  Market. 

Oct.  21  and  22 — In  camp. 

Sunday,  Oct.  23—1  preach  in  camp  early  and  go  to 
hear  Chaplain  Landstreet  of  1st  Va.  Cavalry  preach 
in  M.  E.  Church  of  New  Market  at  11  a.  m.  In  p.  m. 
I  preach  to  Johnston's  Brigade. 

Oct.  24 — Prayer  in  camp  at  night. 

Oct.  485 — I  preach  in  M.  E.  Church  at  night. 

Oct.  26 — Brother  L.  preaches  for  our  Brigade  in  a. 


69 

m.  and  at  M.  E.  Church  at  night. 

Oct.  27 — Preaching  in  two  churches  every  night. 

Oct.  28—1  fast  and  pray.     Rev.  Veitch  arrives. 

Oct.  29— Preaching  at  night. 

Sunday,  Oct  30 — Love  Feast.  Preaching  and  com- 
munion. I  preach  to  Johnston's  Brigade  in  p.  m. 
Veitch  preaches  in  church. 

Oct.  31 — Chaplains  meet  in  M.  E.  Church. 

Nov.  1,  '64 — Solemn  day!  Set  apart  in  memory  of 
Generals  Rodes  and  Ramseur.  I  preach  in  a.  m.  and 
Brother  Carbon  in  p.  m.  Our  Brigade  has  lost  305  men 
since  we  left  Winter  quarters.  They  were  killed  and 
died  of  wounds.  They  left  105  widows  and  about  300 
children. 

Nov.  2 — Preaching  every  night  in  Lutheran  and 
Methodist  Churches.  At  11  a.  m.  a  few  penitents  at 
prayer  meeting. 

Nov.  3 — I  preach  in  Lutheran  Church  at  night. 
Rain. 

Nov.  4 — Wind  and  rain.  Regiment  goes  on  picket. 
I  get  a  furlough  of  30  days  from  17th  instant  to  visit 
my  family  and  attend  my  Annual  Conference.  I  at- 
tend preaching  in  Lutheran  Church  and  sup  with  Mr. 
Tidier,  a  hatter.  Mrs.  Rutter,  Miss  Littell  and  others 
are  kind  and  attentive. 

Nov.  5 — Cold  wind.  Snows  a  little.  Division 
moves  camp.  I  visit  my  Regiment  on  picket  and  preach 
in  Lutheran  Church  at  night. 

Sunday,  Nov.  6—1  preach  to  Johnston's  Br'gade. 
Visit  Hines  in  Hoke's  Brigade.  Pray  with  Col.  Win- 
ston's Brigade.  Attend  M.  E.  Church.  Rev.  Land- 
street  preached. 

Nov.  7 — Meet  Chaplains.     Go  to  new  camp. 

Nov.  8 — Good  meeting  at  night.  Nineteen  con- 
scripts come  to  our  Regiment. 

Nov.  9 — Prepare  seats  for  our  worship. 

Nov.    10 — Whole    army    moves    and    camps    near 


70 

Woodstock.  So  we  will  never  use  our  seats!  God 
grant  we  may  all  find  seats  in  heaven. 

Nov.  11 — Pass  Middletown. 

Nov.  12 — Arrange  to  get  Capt.  Moore's  body  up  the 
Valley.  Quarter-master  gave  me  a  wagon,  team  and 
driver.  The  Colonel  of  my  Regiment  detailed  a  man  to 
assist  me.  Army  was  retreating.  We  pushed  on  to  the 
grave.  It  was  now  dark  and  snowing.  There  were  two 
graves !  The  good  man  living  near  by  told  us  one  of 
them  was  Capt.  M's.  He  knew  not  which.  We  dug 
down  till  we  found  a  Captain's  uniform.  We  recog- 
nized the  dead  and  hastily  put  body  in  wagon.  A  few 
miles  up  the  pike  we  got  a  box  I  had  bought  for  a  coffin. 
A  few  miles  on  we  get  t:\ n-bark  and  pack  around  body. 
Journey  all  night.  Our  army  camps  at  Fisher's  Hill. 
I  write  to  Rev.  McGill  at  Staunton  and  ask  him  to  look 
after  Capt.  M's.  body  and  if  he  can  not  send  it  to  N.  C. 
to  bury  and  mark  the  spot.  Pie  did  the  latter.  A  few 
weeks  later  the  body  was  sent  on  and  rests  near  old 
Sparta,  Pitt  County,  N.  C. 

Sunday,  Nov.  13 — Army  returns  to  Edinburg.  I 
rest  and  dine  at  Mrs.  Hoover's.  I  surely  needed  rest 
after  the  fatigue  and  excitement  of  the  last  day  and 
night, 

Nov.  14 — Return  to  old  camp  three  miles  north  of 
New  Market. 

Nov.  15 — In  camp. 

Nov.  10 — Worship  with  my  men.  Ride  by  P's. 
Division.  •  Dine  with  Chaplain  Carson  at  Black's  Hos- 
pital. Visit  Foote  and  others.  Ride  late  in  the  night 
and  sleep  with  Rev.  H.  M.  Brearley  who  was  my  class- 
mate many  years,  graduated  with  me  in  1855  at  Uni- 
versity of  N.  C,  and  is  now  Chaplain  of  a  S.  C.  Regi- 
ment in  Lee's  Army. 

Nov.  17 — Get  to  Staunton.  See  McGill,  Downs  and 
others.  Go  to  Waynesboro  with  Mr.  Withrow.  All 
night  on  the  train. 


71 

Nov.  18 — Get  to  Richmond  and  go  on  to  Danville. 
All  night  in  darkness. 

Nov.  19 — Meet  Bill  Salmon,  of  Henry  County.  He 
is  the  only  person  I  ever  saw  try  to  kill  himself.  At 
Mead's  Hotel,  Martinsville,  Va.,  in  1856,  as  my  wife 
and  I  sat  at  the  table,  he  sat  in  front  of  us  and  drew 
his  knife  across  his  throat.  Some  men  took  him  away. 
Another  freight  train  takes  me  to  Greensboro,  N.  O. 
Dine  with  Rev.  Wm.  E.  Edwards,  a  brother  of  Rev.  Dr. 
J.  E.  Edwards,  of  Va.  Conference.  Both  were  born 
and  raised  near  G.  Spend  night  with  Morris  at  Dur- 
ham. 

Sunday,  Nov.  20 — Get  home  to  breakfast  at  Chapel 
Hill,  N.  C.  Rains  all  day.  Nearly  nine  months  since 
I  saw  my  family.  Thank  God  for  his  goodness  to  me 
and  them ! 

Nov.  21— At  home. 

Nov.  22 — Visit  Mr.  Lloyd.  Weather  turns  bitter 
cold. 

Nov.  28 — Visit  sundry  persons  and  families. 

Nov.  24 — Visit  Rev.  G.  W.  Purifey  and  others.  His 
father,  friend  of  my  parents  and  my  boyhood  friend, 
raised  three  sons,  all  preachers — Geo.  W.,  James  F.  and 
Addison.  My  oldest  daughter  was  converted  under 
the  preaching  of  Rev.  A.  F.  Purifoy,  a  son  of  James  F. 

Nov.  24 — This  day  I  bought  a  barrel  of  home-made 
syrup  and  some  barrels  of  corn  to  feed  my  family  for 
1865. 

Nov,  25 — At  home. 

Nov.  26 — Walk  several  miles  visiting  Sister  Nunn, 
Cousin  Abel  Madry  and  Wm.  Strain — good  people. 

Nov.  27 — Preach  in  Methodist  Church  at  Chapel 
Hill,  with  much  comfort. 

Nov.  28 — Attend  Senior  examinations  of  the  Uni- 
versity.   Take  two  degrees  in  Royal  Arch  Masonry. 

Nov.  29— Meet  the  bride  of  Rev.  R.  A.  Willis. 

Nov.  30— Sup  with  Rev.  S.  Pool. 


72 

Dec.  1 — At  home. 

Dec.  2— Sup  with  Jones  Watson,  for  whom  my 
first  son  was  named,  Feb.  2,  1856. 

Dec.  3 — Dine  with  Mrs.  White,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Littlejohn  Utley,  who  knelt  by  me  and  told  me  of 
Jesus,  Oct.  14,  1853,  the  first  and  only  time  I  ever  pre- 
sented nryself  as  a  peniteut  for  prayer.  Visit  Univer- 
sity Halls,  etc. 

Sunday,  Dec.  4 — Hear  Brother  Willis  preach  twice. 

Dec.  5 — Wife  and  I  start  to  Conference  at  Mocks  - 
ville.  Reach  Salisbury  late.  Sleep  at  Mansion  House. 
The  preachers  go  on  to  M. 

Dec.  6— We  ride  to  Mocksville,  in  Bro.  A.  Carter's 
carriage  and  stop  at  W.  H.  Wyatt's. 

Dec.  7 — Conference  meets  and  elects  Rev.  D.  B. 
Nicholson  to  preside.  In  M.  we  meet  Sallie  Pailey, 
who  afterward  married  Rev.  S.  D.  Lee,  of  the  N.  C. 
Conference,  whom  I  loved  most  tenderly  and  whose 
son,  Wm.  B.  Lee,  went  as  a  missionary  to  Brazil.  We 
had  many  delightful  interviews  with  old  friends  and 
new  ones  during  Thursday,  Friday  and  Saturday  at 
Conference. 

On  Sunday  we  heard  Rev.  N.  F.  Reid  preach  and 
enjoyed  The  Lord's  Supper.  Dr.  McGuire  sends  us  to 
Dr.  Chun's,  where  we  spend  the  night. 

Dec.  12 — We  drive  to  Salisbury  and  go  on  to  Dur- 
ham and  spend  night. 

Dec.  13— Ride  early  home  to  Chapel  Hill. 

Dec.  14 — Very  busy  at  home  getting  in  readiness  to 
leave. 

Dec.  15 — Move  my  family  to  Stone's  house.  Get 
off  to  Army  again.     Spend  night  in  Durham. 

Dec.  16 — Detained  in  Greensboro.  Visit  Sister 
Bumpass. 

Dec.  17 — Visit  family  of  Jones  Collier.  He  sat  in 
church  at  Chapel  Hill,  on  the  night  I  was  a  penitent, 
till  all  others  retired  and  then  gently  proposed  for  me 


73 

to  arise  and  retire.  I  long  to  see  him  in  his  heavenly- 
home.  Start  late  and  get  to  Danville  and  stop  at  Tun- 
stall  House. 

Sunday,  Dec.  18 — Hear  Rev.  C.  H.  Hall  preach. 
Dine  and  sup  with  Bro.  J.  B.  Pace,  whom  I  met  and 
loved  in  Henry  County,  Va.,  in  1856.  Meet  Brother 
Farley  who  had  an  interesting  family  in  Martinsville 
in  1856.  When  I  asked  about  his  family  he  told  me  all 
were  dead.  What  a  change  !  Then  wife  and  children 
around  his  table.  Now  he  eats  his  food  among  strang- 
ers at  the  hotel  and  retires  to  his  lonely  room.  I  leave 
at  midnight. 

Dec.  19 — Get  to  Richmond  and  spend  the  night 
with  my  wife's  father,  A.  M.  Davis. 

Dec.  20 — Go  to  my  Regiment  near  Petersburg. 

Dec.  21 — Very  rainy. 

Dec.  22 — Our  Division  is  ordered  off. 

Dec.  23 — Capt.  Ardry  and  myself  still  in  camp  with 
the  baggage.     Both  unwell. 

Dec.  24 — Division  returns  late  to  camp. 

Sunday,  Dec.  25 — I  preach  from  the  song  of  the 
angels,  "  Glory  to  God,  in  the  highest!  " 

This  was  the  last  Christmas  of  the  war.  It  was 
Sunday,  too. 

Dec.  26 — In  camp.     No  mail  for  three  days. 

Dec.  29— Get  into  my  winter  quarters — a  wall  of 
poles  covered  with  cloth.     Chimney  of  mud  and  sticks. 

Dec.  30 — Visit  my  brother,  Allen  Betts,  in  Co.  C. 
56th  Regiment,  just  beyond  Petersburg,  near  the 
enemy.     Hear  from  my  wife.    Sick.     God  be  with  her ! 

Dec.  31 — Last  day  of  the  year.  Where  shall  we  be 
the  last  day  of  '65  ? 

Some  of  us  were  at  home  with  our  loved  ones, 

others   in  Heaven,  and  others— dreadful  thought!     A 

man  may  fight  and  die  for  his  country  and  lose  his 

soul!     Mohammed  taught   that   all  who  died  for 'his 


74 

cause  would  be  saved  and  some  men  in  this  day  seem  to 
think  that  all  who  are  killed  in  defense  of  their  country 
are  saved ;  but  the  Bible  assures  us  "the  pure  in  heart " 
shall  "see  God." 

Jan.  1,  1865 — Snow!  Snow!  Preach  four  times 
in  the  cabins  of  my  Regiment. 

Jan.  2 — Spend  day  with  my  brother  Allen.  Prayer- 
meeting  nearly  every  night.    Build  stable  for  pony. 

Jan.  17 — Meet  Chaplains  in  Tabb  Street  Presby- 
terian Church,  Petersburg. 

Jan.  18 — Go  to  Richmond.  Spend  night  with  my 
father-in-law.     Meet  Mr.  Mullins  of  Henry  county,  Va. 

Jan.  19— Hear  Dr.  W.  A.  Smith  on  "  Oath  "  in  First 
Baptist  Church. 

Jan.  20 — Return  to  Regiment  with  boxes. 

BOXES  FOR  THE  SOLDIERS. 

Families  at  home  sent  thousands  of  boxes  to  hus- 
bands, fathers,  sons  and  brothers  during  the  war. 
Some  contained  pieces  of  clothing  that  the  soldier  would 
fall  and  be  buried  in.  We  had  no  chance  to  wash  and 
dress  those  who  fell  in  battle.  Some  of  those  boxes 
contained  the  last  food  the  mother  ever  cooked  for  her 
soldier  boy.  The  soldier  seldom  could  go  to  the  station 
to  claim  his  box.  The  Chaplain  was  often  a  convenient, 
cheerful  agent.  It  sometimes  involved  a  great  deal  of 
care  and  fatigue  to  take  boxes  from  home  in  N.  C.  to 
the  army  in  Va.  To  hunt  them  up  and  get  them  to  the 
soldiers  after  they  had  reached  Va.  was  no  light  task. 
But,  thank  God,  "  Love  lightens  labor." 

Jan.  21 — Rain  and  sleet.     Brigade  goes  on  picket. 

Jan.  22 — In  camp.     Rain. 

Jan.  23 — Hear  from  wife.  In  trouble.  God  help 
her !  Terrible  cannonade  on  our  lines  till  nine  at 
night. 

Saturday,  ride  to  McRae's  Brigade  to  see  Coin,  Jim 
and  "A.  Davis. 


75 

Preach  on  Sunday  a.  m.  and  pray  with  prisoners 
in  p.  m, 

Feb.  7, 1865 — Rain  and  sleet.  Our  Division  is  ordered 
off.  Three  men  in  my  Regiment  had  to  leave  their  wives 
in  camp.  As  the  troops  were  ordered  to  "fall  in  "  I  saw 
the  situation  and  made  haste  to  tell  the  brave  men  that 
I  would  take  their  wives  to  the  depot  and  see  them 
start  for  their  homes  in  N.  O.  The  men  may  have 
lived  to  go  to  their  homes  I  wish  I  knew.  That  was 
a  touching  scene.  The  wife  thought  she  might  never 
see  her  husband  again.  She  heard  the  men  were  in 
camp  around  Richmond.  She  got  Grandma  or  some 
one  to  take  care  of  the  other  children  while  she  took 
the  babe  to  see  its  father  in  camp.  They  reached  the 
camp.  Both  were  so  happy  for  two  or  three  days. 
Now !  That  drum  calls  the  man  to  give  his  babe  a 
hasty  kiss  (it  may  be  the  last  one)  and  turn  away  from 
his  wife,  and  go  out  to  fight  and  face  death.  I  secured 
an  ambulance  and  took  the  three  good  women  to  the 
depot.    I  wish  I  now  had  their  names. 

Feb.  8 — "Peace  Commission"  fails. 

Feb.  9 — Regiment  get  away. 

Feb.  10 — Fast  and  pray. 

Feb.  11 — After  prayermeeting  in  Co.  B,  I  am  taken 
suddenly  and  seriously  ill  and  stay  in  bed  three  days 
and  nights. 

Feb.  14 — Revs.  Ira  T.  Wyche  and  ,T.  A.  Cunninggim 
arrive  in  our  Brigade.  Bro,  W.  stops  with  me ;  Bro.  C. 
with  Rev.  B.  F.  Lacy.    Each  preaches  at  night. 

Feb.  20 — Brigade  goes  on  picket. 

Feb.  21 — Division  moves  to  Sullivan's  depot.  I  at- 
tend Chaplain's  meeting. 

Feb.  25 — Brigade  returns  to  camp.  I  carry  John 
(Capt.  Allen's  negro  servant)  to  hospital  with  typhoid 
fever. 

Feb.  26  (Sunday) — I  preach. 

Feb.  27 — Visit  my  brother,  Allen  Betts. 


76 

March  3,  1865 — Regiment  goes  on  picket.  Revs. 
O.  J.  Brent  and  W.  H.  Moore  arrive  from  N.  O.  and 
stop  with  me. 

March  4 — Brother  Brent  goes  to  Richmond.  Brother 
Moore  remains  with  me. 

March  5  (Sunday) — I  walk  nine  miles  and  preach 
to  my  Regiment  in  picket  camp. 

March  10  (Friday) — I  fast  and  pray.  Preach  to  my 
Regiment  six  times  in  their  quarters.  Rain  all  day. 
God  help  our  nation  in  this  sore  extremity ! 

March  12  (Sunday) — Preach  to  my  Regiment.  Hold 
prayers  at  night. 

March  13— Brother  Power  preaches  at  night. 

March  14 — Hear  from  wife  and  Brother  Willson. 
Preach  at  night.  Brother  Power  and  I  alternate  in  our 
chapel,  preaching  every  day  and  night. 

March  18 — Go  to  Petersburg  to  see  John  (negro 
servant)  nearly  dead.     Get  him  into  hospital. 

March  19  (Sunday) — Preach  to  Weiseger's  Frigade 
in  a.  m.  and  ours  in  p.  m. 

March  20 — Brigade  moves  near  Dunlap's  and  re- 
lieves Thomas'  Ga.  Brigade. 

March  21 — Meet  Chaplains  in  Petersburg,  and  see 
John  and  Oapt.  Allen. 

March  22 — (jo  by  11th  N.  C.  Regiment  and  spend 
night  in  56th  with  my  brother.    Preach  to  R.'s  Brigade. 

March  24— Meet  Cousin  Grey  Utley  in  P.  He 
raised  three  daughters.  Two  became  wives  of  Rev.  L.  S. 
Burkhead,  D.  D.  One  Sunday  night  in  October,  1853, 
Rev.  J.  L.  F.  opened  the  doors  of  his  church  in  Chapel 
Hill  to  receive  members.  Just  as  I  started  forward, 
tha,t  good  man,  Grey  Utley,  began  to  sing  "Jesus,  I 
my  cross  have  taken."  That  soft,  sweet  voice  and 
the  sentiment  of  that  hymn  stir  my  heart  to-night  in 
October,  1897,  as  I  write  these  lines — 44  years  after  that 
solemn  scene. 


77 

Jim  Davis,  of  Chapel  Hill,  my  wife's  cousin,  comes 
to  see  me. 

March  25 — Brigade  moves  and  I  start  home  on 
"leave."  It  was  my  last  furlough,  though  I  had  no 
idea  that  I  was  to  see  the  soldiers  and  Chaplains  no 
more.  How  tender  would  have  been  the  leave-taking, 
if  I  had  known  it  was  my  last  sight  of  those  with 
whom  I  had  been  so  long  associated. 

March  26  (Sunday) — Heard  Rev.  Christian  preach 
at  Clay  Street  in  Richmond  in  a.  m.,  and  start  to  N.  C. 
at  6  p.  m.  It  was  the  last  sermon  I  was  to  hear  in  Va. 
during  the  war.     All  night  on  the  railroad. 

March  27 — Get  to  Durham  and  spend  night. 

March  28 — Reach  home  and  find  all  well.  How 
happy  to  be  with  my  wife  and  little  ones.  My  oldest 
son  had  but  lately  given  his  heart  to  God  and  joined 
the  Church. 

March  31 — Ride  thirty  miles  horseback  and  spend 
night  with  my  brother,  A.  N.  Betts. 

April  1,  '65 — Walk  five  miles  to  see  my  mother  in  the 
home  of  Allen  Betts.  Visited  sister  Jane  Betts,  widow 
of  my  brother,  Andrew,  who  was  captured  as  captain 
of  his  company  on  R.  Island  in  1862,  and  reached  home 
on  parole  to  die.  He  took  his  eldest  son  with  him. 
He  died  in  prison.  Spent  night  with  C.  H.  Cofield,  who 
was  my  guardian  for  ten  years  of  my  boyhood. 

April  2  (Sunday) — Preach  at  Myatt's  schoolhouse. 
Spend  night  with  my  youngest  brother,  Archibald. 
"  When  shall  I  see  my  mother  again?"  Those  words 
were  written  with  the  expectation  of  returning  to  Lee's 
Army  in  a  short  time. 

April  3 — Return  to  Chapel  Hill  with  sick  horse. 
Spent  week  at  home  gardening.  Receive  bacon  and 
lard  I  had  bought  on  the  Harnett  line,  thirty  miles 
away.     Hurrying  up  to  be  ready  to  return  to  the  Army. 

April  9  (Sunday) — Heard  Brother  Willson  preach. 
During   this  week  heard   that  Lee  had  surrendered! 


78 

Sad  news.  Johnston's  Army  passed  through  Chapel  Hill . 
We  knew  Sherman  would  soon  be  in.  I  did  not  wish  to 
meet  him.  I  told  some  of  my  friends  I  was  going  with 
Gen.  Johnston's  Army.  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  Phillips  ten- 
derly told  me  to  go  on  and  my  friends  would  take  care 
of  my  family.  After  midnight  I  kissed  my  wife  and 
children  and  mounted  a  mule  and  rode  away,  thinking 
I  might  not  see  them  in  months  or  years.  I  rode  all 
night,  crossing  Haw  river,  overtook  Johnston's  Army, 
and  reported  to  Brig.  Gen.  Hoke,  who  assigned  Die  to 
duty  as  Chaplain  to  17th  N.  C.  Regt.  We  camped  a 
few  miles  from  Greensboro  for  two  or  three  days  till  we 
heard  we  were  to  be  surrendered.  I  rode  to  Greensboro 
one  day  and  met  Rev.  Dr.  John  B.  McFerrin  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  at  the  home  of  good  Mrs.  F.  M.  Bumpass. 
The  night  following  the  tidings  of  our  contemplated  sur- 
render was  a  still,  sad  night  in  our  camp.  Rev.  W.  C. 
Willson,  the  Chapel  Hill  pastor,  was  with  us.  We  had 
preached  a  few  times  in  that  camp ;  but  that  night  we 
made  no  effort  to  get  the  men  together.  In  little,  sad 
groups  they  softly  talked  of  the  past,  the  present  and 
the  future.  Old  men  were  there,  who  would  have 
cheerfully  gone  on,  enduring  the  hardship  of  war,  and 
protracted  absence  from  their  families,  for  the  freedom 
of  their  country.  Middle  aged  men  were  there,  who 
had  been  away  from  wives  and  children  for  years,  had 
gone  through  many  battles,  had  lost  much  on  their 
farms  or  stores  or  factories  or  professional  business; 
but  would  that  night  have  been  glad  to  shoulder  the 
gun  and  march  forward  for  the  defense  of  their  "  native 
land".  Young  men  and  boys  were  there,  who  loved 
their  country  and  were  unspeakably  sad  at  the  thought 
of  the  failure  to  secure  Southern  Independence. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Willson  and  I  walked  out  of  the  camp 
and  talked  and  wept  together.  As  I  started  back  to 
my  tent — to  my  mule  and  saddle,  I  should  say,  for  I 
had  no  tent — I  passed  three  lads  sitting  close  together, 


79 

talking  softly  and  sadly.  I  paused  and  listened.  One 
said,  ' '  It  makes  me  very  sad  to  think  of  our  surrender- 
ing." Another  said,  "It  hurts  me  worse  than  the 
thought  of  battle  ever  did."  The  third  raised  his  arm, 
clenched  his  fist  and  seemed  to  grate  his  teeth  as  he 
said,  "I  would  rather  know  we  had  to  go  into  battle 
tomorrow  morning."  There  was  patriotism!  There 
may  have  been  in  that  camp  that  night  generals, 
colonels  and  other  officers  who  had  been  moved  by  a 
desire  for  worldly  honor.  Owners  of  slaves  and  of 
lands  may  have  hoped  for  financial  benefit  from  Con- 
federate success.  But  these  boys  felt  they  had  a  coun- 
try that  ought  to  be  free!  I  wish  I  had  taken  their 
names.  And  I  wonder  if  they  still  live.  They  are 
good  citizens,  I  am  sure. 

Next  day  I  mounted  my  mule  and  started  to  Chapel 
Hill,  intending  to  surrender  there.  I  took  along  a 
negro  servant  and  horse  for  a  friend.  At  sunset  we  met 
an  old  man  at  his  spring  near  his  house.  I  politely 
asked  to  be  permitted  to  spend  the  night  on  his  land. 
He  objected.  I  said,  "Boy,  take  off  our  saddles  and 
halter  our  horses."  The  farmer  quickly  said,  "  If  you 
will  stay,  come  up  to  the  house."    I  slept  on  his  porch. 

MY  FIRST  INTERVIEW  WITH  A  FEDERAL  SOLDIER  ON  DUTY< 

I  had  seen  many  of  them  dead,  wounded,  or  pris- 
oners. Near  Ohapel  Hill  one  rode  up  to  my  side.  The 
Blue  Coat  and  the  Grey  chatted  softly  and  sparingly. 
He  kindly  offered  to  show  me  the  way  to  headquarters. 
I  thanked  him  and  told  him  I  would  ride  to  my  house 
and  see  my  family  and  report  myself  later.  The  town 
was  full  of  Federals.  Each  home  had  a  guard  detailed 
by  the  commanding  General.  My  guard  was  a  faithful, 
modest  fellow.  In  due  time  I  called  at  headquarters 
and  was  paroled. 


80 

APOLOGIA. 

The  Reverend  A.  D.  Betts,  D.  D.,  author  of  the 
foregoing  diary,  is  nry  own  honored  and  beloved  father ; 
and,  although  he  has, neither  suggested  nor  advised  my 
action  herein,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  append  some 
estimates  of  his  worth  and  work,  which  will  be  appre- 
ciated by  others  who  have  known  and  loved  him  and 
received  spiritual  benefit  from  his  Ohristly  ministry. 

The  word  of  affectionate  appreciation  ought  often 
to  be  offered  our  deserving  fellow  travelers  along  life's 
journey.  Better  this,  by  far,  than  reserving  fulsome 
eulogy  for  the  completion  of  their  moral  task.  Uttered 
now,  it  will  gratify  and  most  likely  cheer  the  weary 
pilgrim.  Fear  thou  not  it  may  foster  inordinately 
vanity,  for  hardship  enough  has  befallen  to  forefend 
such  folly.  Most  of  all  will  it  please  the  Master  if  the 
loving  meed  of  one's  worth  be  accorded  duly  and 
sincerely.  W.  A.  BETTS. 

South  Carolina  Conference. 


WAS  with  "Uncle  Betts"  nearly  five  weeks,  three 
years  ago,  and  no  man  ever  impressed  me  more,  as 
being  Christ-like — living  holiness. 

His  success,  as  the  world  counts  success,  has  not 
been  very  great,  yet  thousands  whom  he  has  led  to 
Christ,  call  him  blessed,  and  will  be  a  crown  of  rejoic- 
ing in  the  better  world. — Rev.  J.  V.  Williams,  L.  P., 
in  N.  C.  Conference. 


QALLED  forth  by  a  few  well-chosen  words  by  the 
Editor,  several  brethren  have  published  in  the 
Raleigh  Advocate  their  appreciation  of  Rev.  Dr.  A.  D. 
Betts,  the  oldest  effective  member  of  the  Conference. 
The  close  of  the  article  of  Rev.  John  N,  Cole  fitly  de- 
scribes the  man :  "A  man  without  an  enemy — a  man 
that  never  lost  a  friend — a  man  beloved  by  everybody, 
and  that  himself  loves  everybody,  and  that  loves  God 


81 

best,  is  the  venerable  Dr.  Betts."  The  writer  once 
heard  a  prominent  Episcopalian  vestryman  say  that  he 
would  give  any  three  clergymen  of  his  acquaintance 
for  Dr.  Betts  and  throw  in  a  Bishop  extra. — Cor- 
respondent Nashville  Christian  Advocate,  March  10, 
1904. 


JF  there  is  anywhere  a  rich  mine,  it  is  the  character  of 
Dr.  A.  D.  Betts.  I  have  known  him  for  more  than 
fifteen  years,  and  the  more  I  know  him  the  more 
strongly  am  I  convinced  of  his  simple  greatness — 
"simple,"  because  his  is  the  meekness  which  is  des- 
tined to  become  the  inheritor  of  the  earth ;  ' '  greatness, ' ' 
because  his  whole  life  is  based  upon  goodness.  It  is 
refreshing  to  be  in  his  presence.  He  always  carries 
sunshine  with  him.  No  other  man  in  North  Carolina 
Methodism  will  leave  to  the  generations  a  richer  be- 
quest than  will  be  left  by  Dr.  Betts. — T.  N.  Ivey,  D.  D., 
Editor  Raleigh  Christian  Advocate. 


'pHE  Rev.  A.  D,  Betts,  D.  D.,  has  nearly  rounded  out  a 
half -century  of  faithful  and  successful  work  in  the 
Methodist  itinerancy.  He  is  still  vigorous  and  gives 
promise  of  several  years  of  active  service.  He  is  fur- 
nishing a  beautiful  lesson  of  how  to  grow  old  grace- 
fully. He  is  a  man  of  the  highest  character  and  has 
the  full  confidence  of  all  the  people.  He  is  a  man  of 
great  faith  and  zeal  and  energy.  He  has  prayed  in 
more  homes,  probably,  than  any  other  man  in  North 
Carolina.  He  regards  any  place  where  souls  can  be 
won  for  Christ  a  good  one,  and  has  gone  cheerfully 
to  every  appointment  assigned  him.  He  is  greatly  be- 
loved by  his  brethren. — F.  D.  Swindell,  D.  D.,  of  the 
N.  C.  Conference. 


|    WANT  to  say  in  reference  to  "Uncle  Betts,"  that 
he  was  once  my  pastor,  and  the  bonds  of  love  then 
sealed  still  remain.     He  has   never  forgotten  the  cov- 
enant then  entered  into  with  my  people. 

He  is  emphatically  a  seed-sower,  and  though  results 
may  not  always  appear,  eternity  will  reveal  the  good 


82 

he  has  done.  I  have  seen  him  under  different  circum- 
stances, even  surrounded  by  sin — and  why  should  not 
a  preacher  go  where  sin  is? — yet  he  never  forgot  his 
Master's  business.  He  does  a  great  deal  of  personal 
work,  and  it  would  be  well  to  remember,  that  however 
indifferent  one  may  appear,  often  beneath  there  is  a 
soul  hungry  for  some  word  of  encouragement. — M. 
Mial,  Esq.,  Lay  Member  of  N.  C.  Conference. 


~\A  Y  first  intimate  acquaintance  with  this  devout  man 
of  God  was  when  we  roomed  together  at  the 
Annual  Conference  in  Greensboro,  N.  C,  in  1889.  I 
was  being  received  on  trial.  He  began  then  to  show  a 
fatherly  interest  in  me,  and  has  never  ceased  to  do  so. 
With  Dr.  Belts  religion  is  a  most  vital,  practical  ex- 
perience, and  that,  too,  "  every  day  and  every  hour." 
His  life  is  marked  by  regular  aud  constant  devotion  to 
God  and  duty — cheerful  submission  to  church  authority 
and  willing  service  in  any  portion  of  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard—diligent pastoral  ministration  and  personal 
watchfulness  for  souls.  No  man  among  us  more  com- 
pletely has  the  confidence  and  love  of  both  preachers 
and  lavmen  ;  for,  like  Caleb,  "He  wholly  follows  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel."— Rev.  R.  H.  Broom,  of  the  North 
Carolina  Conference. 


JT  was  early  in  the  seventies  (1874  I  think)  when  my 
pastor,  Rev.  A.  D.  Betts,  came  to  the  door  of  our 
humble  little  home,  and  on  being  invited  in,  said: 
"No,  I  have  just  called  to  take  your  subscription  to  the 
Advocate.  You  can  hand  me  $2.00  any  time,  if  not 
convenient  to  pay  now."  "Good-bye,  Bro.  Hoyle; 
good-bye,  Sister  Hoyle,  God  bless  you."  Tt  is  a  model 
plan  for  pastors  to  get  their  flock  to  read  the  church 
paper.  Before  that  morning  I  had  never  been  a  sub- 
scriber tc  my  church  paper,  and  I  don't  think  I  had 
ever  been  asked  to  subscribe.  Since  that  time  the 
Advocate  has  made  its  weekly  visits  to  our  home, 
except  for  a  few  months  in  1878  or  1879.  I  thank 
Bro.  Betts  that  he  did  not  give  me  the  chance  to 
tell  him  that  "money  was  scarce,"  or  that  "I  was 
taking   as   many    papers   as   I  could    read."     O   how 


83 

much  I  would  enjoy  seeing  Bro.  Betts  again.  Our 
first  'pastor  in  our  married  life,  and  the  one  who 
baptized  our  first-born.  Betts,  Bobbitt,  Black  and  Blair 
— have  given  much  strength  and  added  many  years  to 
the  life  of  the  Advocate. — P.  A.  Hoyle,  Esq.,  Newton, 
N.  C,  in  North  Carolina  Christia?i  Advocate. 


A  MAN  by  nature  richly  endowed — a  fragrant  and 
generous  soul  to  whom  goodness  is  easy  and  natural 
under  the  sunshine  of  grace.  He  does  not  have  to 
study  to  be  good  ;  goodness  is  not  a  thing  that  he  has  to 
purpose  in  his  soul — it  is  the  opening  of  his  soul  in  its 
purely  natural  life  under  grace — just  as  beauty  and  fra- 
grance are  the  opening  of  a  flower  in  its  own  sweet  life. 
Doctor  Betts  is  the  born  gentleman,  full  of  all  human 
excellencies,  unselfish,  large-hearted  and  noble,  ready 
for  every  good  word  and  work.  He  has  lived  to  make 
the  world  brighter  and  purer  and  sweeter.  He  is  a 
lifter  of  burdens  from  the  nearts  of  his  fellowmen.  His 
pathway  is  a  pathway  of  light.  He  is  the  child  of  the 
day.  Goodwill  to  all  men  has  been  the  song  of  his  life. 
The  love  of  Christ  has  been  the  sweet  constraint  of  his 
labors.  And  in  it  all  he  has  had  the  peace  of  God  in 
his  heart  and  has  been  one  of  the  happiest  of  the  servants 
of  the  King. 

A  man  without  an  enemy — a  man  that  never  lost  a 
friend — a  man  beloved  by  everybody  and  that  himself 
loves  everybody  and  that  loves  God  best,  is  the  vener- 
able Doctor  Petts. — Rev.  J.  N.  Cole,  D.  D.,  of  the 
N.  C.  Conference. 


gINCE  about  1859  we  have  well  known  Rev.  A.  D. 
Betts,  D.  D.  He  is  an  alumnus  of  the  University  of 
North  Carolina,  and  one  of  the  most  consistent  Chris- 
tians and  profoundly  religious  men  we  have  had  the 
pleasure  of  knowing.  He  is  without  guile,  or  hypocrisy, 
or  evil  speech.  He  was  one  of  the  best  and  most  de- 
voted chaplains  in  the  Confederate  service.  General 
Lee  was  so  greatly  impressed  with  the  devotion,  fidelity 
and  purity  of  this  good  man  that  he  spoke  of  him  as 
"that  model  chaplain."  He  is  one  of  the  most  con- 
sistently devout,  consecrated,  and  useful  ministers  we 


84 

have  found  in  a  long  life.  We  hold  him  in  high  esteem 
and  have  known  no  Methodist  preacher  of  more  exalted 
qualities,  of  a  higher  sense  of  responsibility  to  God,  or 
of  more  devotion  to  his  work  as  an  ambassador  for 
Christ.  We  consider  it  alike  a  pleasure  and  honor  to 
have  had  such  unbroken  and  fruitful  association  and 
friendship  with.  him.  We  hope  his  years  may  yet  be 
many  in  this  land  he  loves,  and  has  so  obediently 
and  faithfully  served,  and  that  he  will  enter  into  his 
final  rest  with  an  assured  confidence  in  his  salvation 
through  an  abiding  faith  in  the  blessed  Son  of  God. — 
T.  B.  Kingsbury,  LL.  D.,  of  Wilmington,  N.  C. 


]  T  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  know,  esteem  and 
love  "Brother  Betts  "  for 'more  than  forty  years., 
and  my  life  has  been  made  better  for  having  enjoyed  so 
rich  a  bounty.  I  flatter  myself  to  hope  that  my  life 
bears  the  water-marks  of  some,  at  least,  of  the  many 
good  qualities  of  this  faithful  man  of  Goct,  who  is 
humble,  lovable  and  consecrated.  His  consecrated  life, 
filled  with  love  for  his  fellow-man,  and  abounding  in 
good  works,  like  the  "alabaster  box,"  yields  a  most  de- 
lightful perfume. 

I  well  remember  the  day  of  his  graduation,  and 
can  recall  with  distinctness  the  subject  of  his  graduating 
thesis.  It  was  fine  and  made  a  most  marked  impres- 
sion. I  am  proud  that  all  these  forty  odd  years,  I 
have  been  blessed  with,  his  friendship.  May  his  eve- 
ning tide  be  as  sweet  and  mellow  as  the  "sunset's 
radiant  glow,"  and  may  he  be  spared  yet  many  years 
to  tabernacle  in  the  flesh,  that  his  life  and  example  may 
abide  as  a  benediction  with  all  "  who  love  his  appear- 
ing," and  when  he  crosses  the  bar,  "  may  he  meet  his 
pilot  face  to  face." 

I  am  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  add  my  tribute  to 
one  so  worthy. — Gen.  Julian  S.  Oarr,  Durham,  N.  C. 


HAVE  known  Rev.  Alexander  Davis  Betts,  often  in 

North  Carolina  affectionately  called  Father  Betts, 

for  over  fifty  years — as  a  student  of  this  University, 

as  a  citizen  and  as  a  minister.    I  lived  for  twenty  years 


85 

in  the  county  of  his  birth,  in  which  he  dwelt  up  to 
manhood.  For  years  he  was  a  Trustee  of  this  insti- 
tution, when  J  was  its  President.  I  therefore  write  of 
his  character  of  my  own  knowledge. 

He  is  of  excellent  stock  and  has  inherited  the 
virtues  of  his  forbears.  Always  he  has  been  conspicu- 
ous for  sincerity  and  truthfulness,  for  courage  to  do 
right,  for  faithfulness  to  every  duty,  for  undoubting 
faith  in  the  God  of  the  Bible.  He  has  striven  to  follow 
in  the  steps  of  our  Holy  Savior.  His  studies  have 
never  resulted  in  disturbance  of  his  creed  by  the  specu- 
lations of  the,  so  called,  Higher  Critics,  He  has  been 
a  loyal,  well  disciplined,  undaunted  soldier  of  Christ 
and  has  never  lost  any  part  of  his  panoply.  Duty  has 
always  been  his  guiding  star.  He  has  not  swerved  from 
the  path  to  it  to  the  right  or  the  left.  His  heart  is 
tender  as  a  woman's  for  the  relief  of  distress  and  bold 
as  a  lion's  in  conflict  with  error.  Take  him  all  in  all 
he  possesses  in  full  measure  all  the  Christian  graces. — 
Kemp  P.  Battle,  LL.  D.,  Prof.  Univ.  of  N.  C. 


]y£Y  recollections  of  Rev.  A.  D.  Betts,  D.  D.,  when 
I  was  his  Presiding  Elder,  causes  me  to  estimate 
him  as,  perhaps,  the  most  unselfish  man  amongst 
us,  regarding  his  fields  of  labor.  Once  at  Conference, 
when  it  was  understood  between  us  that  he  would 
move,  he  waited  until  the  appointments  had  been  read, 
and  final  adjournment  had  been  had,  to  deliver  his 
wife's  message  of  love  to  me,  and  yet  kindly  suggested 
that  I  could  not  have  been  consciously  influenced  in 
the  making  of  his  appointment  by  knowledge  of  such 
affectionate  esteem.  On  another  occasion  when  develop- 
ments after  an  early  fourth  Quarterly  Conference  im- 
pressed him  that  some  of  the  brethren  would  prefer  a 
change  in  preachers  at  Conference,  he  by  letter  asked 
me  to  authorize  him  to  make  appointments  for  me  to 
preach  at  some  of  his  churches  in  the  week,  his  Circuit 
being  located  between  the  Circuits  I  had  published 
quarterly  meetings  for  including  the  Sabbaths  preced- 
ing and  succeeding  the  week  named,  and  thus  he 
brought  me  again  to  his  Circuit  that  the  brethren  should 
have  an  opportunity  to  talk  with  me,  and  that  I  should 
have  opportunity  to  further  study  the  needs  of  the 
work,  and  he  himself  magnanimously  and  cheerfully 


86 

consented  that  the  change  be  made,  and  as  to  where  he 
should  be  sent  I  could  only  learn  from  him  that  he  was 
ready  to  go  anywhere.  Indeed,  I  found  him  always 
the  very  embodiment  of  the  spirit  of  our  itinerancy. 

Another  recollection  of  Br.  Betts :  It  was  at  Trinity 
College  at  a  commencement.  I  had  gone  to  his  room, 
and  my  son  coming  for  me  I  arose  to  go,  when  the 
Doctor  laid  his  hand  on  me  and  asked  me  to  wait  and 
have  a  word  of  prayer  with  him,  and  closing  the  door 
we  three  knelt  together  and  it  was  not  difficult  to  lead 
in  that  prayer ;  for  I  was  in  the  prophet's  chamber.  I 
love  this  man  of  God. — Rev.  J.  T.  Gibbs,  of  the  N.  C. 
Conference. 


REV.  A.  D.  BETTS  and  I  were  college  mates  at  the 
University  of  North  Carolina,  he  being  of  the 
Class  of  1855  and  I  of  the  one  just  preceding.  We  were 
also  members  of  the  Dialectic  Society,  a  literary  society 
of  great  value  to  the  institution  in  those  days  when 
membership  of  that  or  the  Philanthropic,  the  other 
meritorious  literary  society  wa,-  compulsory.  For  some 
time  after  the  resuscitation  of  the  University  in  1875  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  his  Alma 
Mater,  and  I  was  associated  with  him  in  that  capacity. 
Before  and  since  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting 
him  occasionally.  Mr.  Betts  having  been  raised  on  a 
farm,  with  inadequate  school  advantages  in  his  neigh- 
borhood, was  older  than  the  average  college  student 
when  at  Chapel  Hill,  and  his  influence  on  his  fellows 
was  correspondingly  greater.  He  was  faithful  to  every 
duty  and  graduated  with  honor.  He  was  then  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  and  had  the  moral  courage 
and  independence  to  avow  and  live  up  to  his  principles, 
even  in  company  with  young  men  who  "cared  for  none 
of  those  things."  In  manner  and  disposition  he  was 
ever  cheerful  and  cordial,  and  from  observation  I  would 
say  that  cheerf ulmess  has  always  been  one  of  his  lead- 
ing characteristics.  Is  it  not  due  to  this  as  much  as  to 
his  habits  of  temperance  in  meat  and  drink,  that  he  is 
still  hale  and  hearty  after  passing  the  Psalmist's  limit 
of  threescore  and  ten  ?  His  cheerfulness  has  made 
others  happier,  while  it  has  made  him  less  careful  as 
to  the  ills  that  attend  advanced  years.  Not  being  a 
member   of  'the   same   Church  as  Mr.  Betts,  I  cannot 


87 

speak  of  him  as  a  preacher,  from  personal  knowledge ; 
but  from  the  fervency  of  his  prayers  on  public  occasions 
at  the  University  and  elsewhere  and  his  manner  as  a 
speaker  in  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  I  doubt 
not  he  is  an  earnest  and  successful  preacher  of  the 
Gospel,  and  as  a  pastor  his  ministrations  could  not  but 
be  acceptable  to  the  many  flocks  of  which  he  has 
charge  as  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Conference.  May 
he  be  spared  to  his  Church  and  State  many  years 
longer! — Hon.  R.  H.  Battle,  Raleigh,  N.  C. 


J  FIRST  saw  Rev.  A.  D.  Betts,  D.  D.,  at  a  Monday 
night  prayernieeting  in  the  Seaman's  Bethel,  in 
Wilmington,  N.  C,  in  1866.  He  made  an  impression 
upon  my  mind  that  night  as  a  very  earnest,  zealous, 
godly  man,  full  of  the  gladness  of  religion.  I  then 
thought  that  he  was  acquainted  with  his  Lord  and  was 
in  great  peace.  In  1876,  I  was  received  on  trial  into 
the  North  Carolina  Conference.  Since  that  time  we 
have  had  the  annual  greeting  without  a  break  that  I 
remember.  We  were  pastors  in  the  same  town.  It 
was  a  real  pleasure  and  much  profit  to  be  associated 
with  him  in  the  same  pastorate.  I  received  much  bene- 
fit from  the  association.  While  on  the  Washington 
District  as  Presiding  Elder,  we  were  together  again, 
where  I  saw  Doctor  Betts  from  another  standpoint. 
First,  in  my  youth,  I  saw  him  in  the  prayernieeting. 
Next,  as  a  brother  preacher  in  our  Conference.  Again, 
as  pastors  in  the  same  charge,  and  subsequently  asso- 
ciated a s  Presiding  Elder  and  pastor.  He  has  always  been 
the  same  earnest,  sweet  spirited  representative  of  his 
Lord.  I  always  loved  to  attend  his  Quarterly  Meetings, 
His  life,  his  work,  was  a  benediction  to  me  and  I  left 
his  circuit  better  for  the  association.  I  looked  at  him 
during  our  last  Conference  at  Goldsboro  and  thought 
surely  no  man  has  ever  passed  so  many  years  with  so 
little  change.  Remarkably  little  difference  in  physical 
appearance.  Just  as  full  of  energy,  just  as  earnest,  just 
as  anxious  for  conversions  as  back  in  the  sixties. 

He  has  always  tried  to  sow  seed  in  the  by-ways. 
His  horse  soon  learned  to  stop  on  meeting  any  one. 
Only  a  minute  to  ask  about  the  spiritual  condition  and 
he  was  gone,    singing  as   he   went.     Was   that   time 


88 

wasted?  I  heard  a  preacher  say  at  the  District  Confer- 
ence in  LaGrange,  that  the  brief  question,  "Are  you  on 
the  road  for  the  Better  Land?"  oy  Doctor  Betts,  fas- 
tened conviction  upon  him  and  led  him  in  contrition  to 
his  Lord.  I  always  appreciated  his  prayers  for  me,  and 
regarded  his  visits  to  our  home  as  a  benediction.  Here 
and  there  in  my  journeys  I  found  old  veterans  who 
frave  very  warm  commendations  of  Doctor  Betts  as  a 
faithful,  conscientious  chaplain  during  the  Confederate 
war.  He  yet  holds  a  very  large  place  in  the  hearts  of 
the  old  soldiers. 

Yes,  he  is  now  on  the  downward  slope  in  life's  jour- 
ney. The  material  sun  is  getting  lower,  but  in  the 
spiritual  life  his  sun  is  yet  at  meridian  and  will  not  go 
down,  but  grow  brighter  and  brighter  until  the  perfect 
day.  God  forever  bless  him  and  all  of  his. — Rev.  F.  A. 
Bishop  of  the  N.  C.  Conference. 


]^£  Y  personal  acquaintance  and  association  with  Rev. 
A.  D.  Betts,  D.  D.,  began  twenty  years  ago,  and 
has  continued  with  an  intimacy  akin  to  family  ties. 
For  a  number  of  years  we  came  in  contact  almost  daily. 
Twenty  years  !  Quite  a  span  in  life,  and  much  may  be 
accomplished ;  but  when  embraced  between  the  fifty- 
second  and  seventy-second  years,  not  much  that  is  of 
interest  to  the  public.  That  is  a  period  when  men 
begin  to  plan  for  retirement,  superannuation,  etc.  The 
history ■  making  epoch  is  past.  Bodily  infirmities,  in  the 
case  of  the  veterans  of  the  Confederate  war  at  least, 
from  exposure  and  hardships  of  various  kinds  claim  the 
attention.  Instead  of  benefactors  to  the  human  race, 
they  become  themselves  beneficiaries  of  a  willing  and. 
generous  constituency.  Our  hero  stands  out  a  notable 
exception  to  the  rule.  There  is  nothing  in  common  with 
this  class  except  the  mere  fact  of  age.  He  possesses  a  per- 
fectly sound,  though  somewhat  frail  body,  and  a  mind 
as  active  as  in  youth — a  result  largely  due  to  his  strict 
observance  of  the  laws  of  health,  and  wonderful  self- 
control:  To  properly  appreciate  the  character  of  this 
great  and  good  man,  certain  facts  must  be  borne  in  miud. 
One  of  the  best  educated  men  of  the  day,  with  high  social 
and  family  connections,  with  ability  to  fill  with  ease 
and  honor  any  position  in  the  gift  of  the  people— to 
deliberately  turn  his  back  upon  all  such  opportunities, 


89 

and  voluntarily  take  upon  himself  a  work  comparatively 
menial,  a  work  fraught  with  danger  to  himself,  as  well 
as  hardship,  and  the  remuneration  a  mere  pittance — is 
this  not  most  remarkable  in  an  age  of  self-aggrandize- 
ment and  commercialism?  A  complete  crucifixion  this, 
of  self  for  others,  and  withal  a  cheerful  and  happy  dis- 
position, almost  angelic.  He  is  a  practical  Christian, 
practising  six  days  what  he  preaches  on  the  Sabbath. 
Contact  with  such  a  man  is  a  benediction.  As  a 
preacher  and  pastor  and  citizen,  in  all  he  is  a  model. 
But  it  is  in  the  sick  room,  especially  among  the  poor, 
that  he  shines  with  peculiar  splendor.  This  is  the  work 
he  selects,  and  is  never  so  happy  as  when  engaged 
therein.  H  does  not  wait  to  be  sent  for,  nor  even  for 
such  cases  to  be  reported  to  him.  He  is  always  on  the 
alert,  and  where  needed  most  there  he  is  to  be  found. 
Not  only  does  he  share  his  money,  but  where  that  is 
not  sufficient  to  relieve  all  the  needs,  he  supplies  the 
deficiency  with  personal  service.  How  often  has  he 
been  seen  with  arms  full  of  wood  from  a  neighboring 
saw-mill,  buckets  of  water,  etc.,  hastening  to  relieve 
suffering !  This  of  course  is  outside  of  his  ministration 
to  their  spiritual  needs. 

Young  men  have  a  special  interest  for  Dr.  Betts. 
In  his  lodge  COdd  Fellows),  on  the  streets,  everywhere, 
he  is  their  friend.  The  desire  to  help  others  seems  to 
overshadow  all  other  considerations.  His  favorite  song, 
as  I  have  so  often  heard  him  in  his  room  at  my  home, 
before  joining  the  family  at  the  breakfast  table,  is, 
"Help  us  to  help  each  other,  Lord".  This  correctly 
illustrates  the  principle  of  his  life.  Donations  to  him, 
whether  money  or  otherwise,  are  used  to  help  others. 
He  never  heralds  his  work  to  the  world,  for  truly  his  left 
hand  is  ignorant  of  what  his  right  hand  does.  Of  all 
my  acquaintances,  he  is  the  best  and  greatest — not  as 
the  world  calls  great,  perhaps,  for  he  is  to  be  measured 
by  no  such  standard. 

The  influence  for  good  of  the  very  presence  of  this 
godly  man  in  a  community  cannot  be  estimated  in 
words,  for  it  is  greater  far  than  volumes  of  sermons  and 
discourses.  May  he  be  spared  many  years  of  health 
and  usefulness,  is  the  prayer  of  one  who  loves  him  next 
to  his  own  immediate  family ! — N.  H.  Street,  M.  D., 
of  New  Bern,  N,  C. 


90 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Alexander  D.  Betts,  son  of  Wm.  and  Tempe  Utley 
Betts,  was  born  in  Cumberland  (now  Harnett)  county, 
N.  C,  August  25,  1882.  Brought  up  on  a  farm  till  seven- 
teen years  of  age  when  just  for  fun  he  mounted  a  wild, 
young  steer  which  threw  him,  so  badly  crippling  him 
that  he  could  not  do  farm  work.  That  accident  put  him 
in  a  classical  school  at  Summerville,  whence  he  went  to 
the  University  of  North  Carolina.  He  was  converted 
there  October  15,  1853,  cinder  the  ministry  of  Rev.  J.  L. 
Fisher  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and 
joined  that  church  a  few  days  thereafter.  He  attended 
the  North  Carolina  Conference  at  Raleigh  the  following 
month,  and  has  been  permitted  to  attend  fifty  others 
without  missing  one.  He  soon  felt  that  God  called  him 
to  preach  the  gospel,  and  received  license  while  yet  a 
student.  He  was  graduated  June  ?th,  1855,  having 
married  Miss  Mary  E.  Davis  of  Chapel  Hill,  May  12th. 
He  taught  school  five  months  at  Pittsboro  the  next  fall. 
Just  after  Conference,  1855,  Bishop  Andrew  sent  him  as 
supply  to  Henry  Circuit,  Ya.  His  first  Presiding  Elder, 
Rev.  John  Tillett,  was  a  great  blessing  to  him,  writing 
to  him  between  quarterly  meetings  and  encouraging  him 
in  many  ways.  He  joined  the  North  Carolina  Confer- 
ence at  Greensboro  in  1856,  and  served  charges  in  Cum- 
berland, Sampson,  Brunswick  and  Bladen  before  the 
war.  While  preaching  at  Smithville  (now  Southport) 
Gov.  Clark,  at  the  request  of  the  officers  of  the  30th 
North  Carolina  Regiment,  sent  him  a  commission  as 
their  Chaplain,  October  25th,  1861. 

After  the  war  he  served  charges  at  New  Planover, 
Granville,  Wake,  Anson,  Cabarrus,  Guilford,  Duplin, 
Carteret,  Jones,  Nash,  Hyde,  Wilson,  Chatham,  Robe- 
son, Richmond,  Craven,  Pitt,  Cumberland  and  Harnett. 

The  mother  of  all  his  children  died  in  Greensboro, 
September  5,  1879.     She  had  kept  up  family  worship 


91 

every  day  in  her  husband's  absence.  October  26,  1881, 
God  gave  him  Priscilla  M.  Debnam  of  Wake  county,  N. 
C,  to  help  him  and  his  motherless  children  to  get  to 
Heaven. 


Eighth  Annual  Meeting  and   Reunion  of  the 
United  Confederate  Veterans. 


THIRD  DAY'S  PROCEEDINGS. 

Friday,  July  22,  1898. 

When  General  Gordon  called  the  Convention  to 
order  at  10 :  10  yesterday  morning,  there  were  fully 
15,000  people  in  the  hall.  It  was  impossible  to  find 
seats,  and  the  aisles  were  packed  and  jammed  with 
Veterans  struggling  to  get  close  to  the  platform. 

"  It  was  the  habit  of  our  great  chieftain,  Robert  E. 
Lee,"  said  General  Gordon,  "after  the  most  brilliant 
victories  ever  won  by  the  Confederate  armies,  to  ascribe 
his  success  to  the  providence  of  God.  When  I  stood 
yesterday  listening  to  the  songs  of  praise  to  that  God  to 
whom  Lee  looked  for  help  and  support,  it  carried  me 
back,  as  it  did  you,  to  those  good  old  scenes  in  the  midst 
of  strife,  when  the  soldiers  used  to  sing  praises  to  Al- 
mighty God ;  and  I  want  you,  as  becomes  us  dependent 
on  His  will,  to  again  unite  in  singing  that  grand  old 
hymn,  'Praise  God,  from  Whom  All  Blessings  Flow.'  " 

That  vast  audience  stood  and  sang  that  old  song  as 
probably  they  had  never  sung  it  before.  The  melody 
from  10,000  throats  wafted  out  from  that  big  building 
toward  neaven,  and  the  angels  themselves  must  have 
joined  in  the  refrain. 

Rev.  Dr.  Betts,  of  North  Carolina,  then  led  in 
prayer  as  follows : 

"  Oh,  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  we  do  thank  Thee 
that  Thou  dost  allow  us  to  call  Thee  Father.  Have 
mercy  upon  us  to-day  and  forgive  all  our  shortcomings. 
We  thank  Thee  for  Thy  great  goodness  to  us — for 
watching  over  these  old  warriors  so  long  with  such 
tender  mercies.  God  bless  every  one  of  them;  they 
deserve  Thy  blessing.  We  do  thank  Thee  that  Thou 
hast  spared  them  to  come  through  the  perils  of  war  to 
be  here  to-day.     God  bless  our  commander-in-chief. 


92 

May  he  be  strong  in  the  faith  of  the  Dying  Savior,  and 
may  he  gather  with  us  on  many  more  such  occasions  as 
this  before  the  end  of  his  earthly  existence.  Bless  every 
home  represented  in  this  great  gathering.  Bless  At- 
lanta and  all  Atlanteans.  Remember,  God,  every  home 
in  this  great  city.  Be  with  this  great  nation  in  the 
war  it  is  now  waging  against  Spain,  and  remember  the 
prayers  of  many  tender-hearted  mothers  on  both  sides 
of  the  great  Atlantic.  Be  with  us  in  our  deliberations, 
and  stir  the  hearts  of  those  who  have  not  yet  accepted 
the  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.    Amen." 

Dr.  Betts  was  so  filled  with  the  inspiration  of  the 
scene  that  he  embraced  General  Gordon,  saying :  "God 
bless  you  my  noble  old  Commander,  I  hope  and  believe 
we  will  meet  on  the  other  shore,"  and  asked  the  au- 
dience to  sing  that  old  familiar  hymn,  "  Brother,  Will 
You  Meet  Me."  He  started  the  air  himself,  and  nearly 
everybody  in  the  house  joined  in  the  singing : 

"  Say,  brother  will  you  meet  me, 
Say,  brother,  will  you  meet  me, 
Say,  brother,  will  you  meet  me, 
On  Canaan's  happy  shore?  " 

"By  the  grace  of  God  we'll  meet  you 
On  Canaan's  happy  shore. 
There  we'll  shout  and  give  Him  glory, 
On  Canaan's  happy  shore." 


THE  NINTH  OF  APRIL.,  1865. 

(From  the  London  Spectator.) 

It  is  a  Nation's  death-cry !  Yes,  the  agony  is  past; 
The  stoutest  race  that  ever  fought,  today  hath  fought  its 
last. 
Aye,  start  and  shudder,  well  thou  mayst!    Well  veil 
thy  weeping  eyes ! 
England,   may  God  forgive  thy   past;   man    cannot  but 
despise. 

Yes,  shudder  at  that  cry  that  speaks  the  South's  supreme 

despair; 
Thou  that  could'st  save  and  saved'st  not,  that  could'stand 

did'st  not  dare, 
Thou  that  had'st  might  to  aid  the  right  and  heart  to  brook 

the  wrong; 


93 

Weak  words  of  comfort  for  the  weak,  strong  hands  to  help 
the  strong. 

That  land,  the  garden  of  thy  wealth,  one  haggard  waste 

appears ! 
The  ashes  of  her  sunny  homes  are  slaked  with  patient  tears — 
Tears  for  the  slain  who  died  in  vain  for  freedom  on  the  field — 
Tears,  tears  of  bitterer  anguish  still  for  those  that  lived  to 

yield. 

The  cannon  of  his  country  pealed  Stewart's  funeral  knell; 

Her  soldiers'  cheers  rang  in  his  ears  when  Stonewall 
Jackson  fell; 

Onward  o'er  gallant  Ashby's  grave  swept  war's  triumphant 
tide, 

And  Southern  hopes  were  living  yet  when  Polk  and  Mor- 
gan died. 

But  he,  the  leader  on  whose  word  those  captains  loved  to 

wait, 
The  noblest,  bravest,  best  of  all,  hath  found  a  harder  fate. 
Unscathed  by  shot  and  steel,  he  passed  through  many  a 

desperate  field; 
Alas !  that  he  lived  so  long,  and  only  lived — to  yield ! 

Along  the  war-worn,  wasted  ranks  that  loved  him  to  the 
last, 

With  saddened  face  and  weary  pace  the  vanquished  chief- 
tain passed. 

Their  own  hard  lot  the  men  forgot,  they  felt  what  his 
must  be ; 

What  thoughts  in  that  dark  hour  must  wring  the  heart  of 
General  Lee. 

The  manly  cheeks  with  tears  were  wet,  the  stately  head 

was  bowed, 
As  breaking  from  their  shattered  ranks  around  his  steed 

they  crowd. 
"I  did  my  best  for  you!"     'Twas  all  those  quivering  lips 

could  say; 
Ah,  happy  those  whom  death  had  spared  the  anguish  of 

that  day. 


Sunny  South,  weep  on !    Weep  the  lives  given  to  fchy  cause 

in  vain ; 
The  sons  who  live  to  wear  once  more  the  Union's  galling 

chain ; 
The  homes  whose  light  is  quenched  for  aye;  the  graves 

without  a  stone ; 
The  folded  flag,  the  broken  sword,  the  hope  forever  flown. 


94 

Yet  raise  thy  head,  fair  land!    Thy  dead  died  bravely  for 

the  right; 
The  folded  flag  is  stainless  still,  the  broken  sword  is  bright. 
No  blot  on  thy  record  is  found,  no  treason  soils  thy  fame; 
Weep  thou  thy  dead;  with  covered  head  we  mourn  our 

England's  shame! 

— W.  R.  Greg. 


THE  BIVOUAC  OF  THE  DEAD. 
By  Captain  Theodore  O'Hara. 

The  muffled  drum's  sad  roll  has  beat, 

The  soldier's  last  tattoo; 
No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet 

That  brave  and  fallen  few. 
On  Fame's  eternal  camping  ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards  with  solemn  round, 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead. 


No  rumor  of  the  foe's  advance 

Now  weeps  upon  the  wind, 
No  troubled  thought  at  midnight  haunts ; 

Of  loved  ones  left  behind. 
No  vision  of  the  morrow's  strife 

The  warrior's  dream  alarms; 
Nor  braying  horn,  nor  screaming  fife 

At  dawn  shall  call  to  arms. 


Their  shivered  swords  are  red  with  rust, 

Their  plumed  heads  are  bowed, 
Their  haughty  banner,  trailed  in  dust, 

Is  now  their  martial  shroud. 
And  plenteous  funeral-tears  have  washed, 

The  red  stains  from  each  brow ; 
And  the  proud  forms,  by  battle  gashed, 

Are  freed  from  anguish  now. 

The  neighing  troop,  the  flashing  blade, 

The  bugle's  stirring  blast, 
The  charge,  the  dreadful  cannonade, 

The  din  and  shout  are  past. 
Nor  war's  wild  note,  nor  glory's  peal, 

Shall  thrill  with  fierce  delight 
Those  breasts  that  never  more  may  feel 

The  rapture  of  the  fight. 


95 

ALL  QUIET  ALONG  THE  POTOMAC. 

(The  authorship  of  this  poem  has  been  disputed.    It  is  as- 
cribed to  Lamar  Fontaine,  Second  Virginia  Cavalry.) 

"All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  tonight," 

Except  now  and  then  a  stray  picket 
Is  shot  as  he  walks  on  his  beat  to  and  fro, 

By  a  rifleman  hid  in  the  thicket. 
'Tis  nothing — a  private  or  two  now  and  then 

Will  not  count  in  the  news  of  the  battle ; 
Not  an  officer  lost — only  one  of  the  men — 

Moaning  out,  all  alone,  the  death  rattle. 

"All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  tonight," 

Where  the  soldiers  lie  peacefully  dreaming ; 
Their  tents,  in  the  rays  of  the  clear  autumn  moon, 

Or  the  light  of  the  watch  fires  are  gleaming, 
A  tremulous  sigh,  as  the  gentle  night-wind 

Through  the  forest  leaves  slowly  is  creeping, 
While  the  stars  up  above,  with  their  glittering  eyes, 

Keep  guard — for  the  army  is  sleeping. 

There  is  only  the  sound  of  the  lone  sentry's  tread, 

As  he  tramps  from  the  rock  to  the  fountain, 
And  thinks  of  the  two  in  the  low  trundle  bed, 

Far  away  in  the  cot  on  the  mountain. 
His  musket  falls  slack — his  face,  dark  and  grim, 

Grows  gentle  with  memories  tender, 
As  he  mutters  a  prayer  for  his  children  asleep — 

For  their  mother,  may  heaven  defend  her ! 

The  moon  seems  to  shine  as  brightly  as  then, 

That  night,  when  the  love  yet  unspoken 
Leaped  up  to  his  lips,  and  when  low  murmured  vows 

Were  pledged  to  be  ever  unbroken. 
Then  drawing  his  sleeve  roughly  over  his  eyes, 

He  dashes  off  tears  that  are  welling, 
And  gathers  his  gun  close  up  to  its  place, 

As  if  to  keep  down  the  heart  swelling. 

He  passes  the  fountain,  the  blasted  pine  tree — 

The  footstep  is  lagging  and  weary, 
Yet  onward  he  goes,  through  the  broad  belt  of  light, 

Towards  the  shades  of  the  forest  so  dreary. 
Hark!  was  it  the  night- wind  that  rustled  the  leaves? 

Was  it  moonlight  so  wonderously  flashing? 
It  looked  like  a  rifle — ha !  Mary,  goodbye ! 

And  the  life-blood  is  ebbing  and  splashing ! 

'All  quiet  along  the  Potomac  tonight," 

No  sound  save  the  rush  of  the  river ; 
While  soft  falls  the  dew  on  the  face  of  the  dead — 

The  picket's  off  duty  forever. 

1861, 


96 

TO  THE  CONFEDERATE  DEAD. 


Below  we  give  the  inscriptions  upon  the  Confederate 
monument  in  the  State  Capitol  Grounds,  Columbia,  S.  C, 
erected  by  the  women  of  South  Carolina  to  the  Confeder- 
ate dead : 

NORTH  SIDE. 

This  Monument 

Perpetuates  the  Memory 

of  those  Who, 

True  to  the  Instincts  of  their  Birth, 

Faithful  to  the  Teachings  of  their  Fathers, 

Constant  in  their  Love  for  the  State, 

Died  in  the  Performance  of  their  Duty ; 

Who  have  Glorified  a  Fallen  Cause 

By  the  Simple  Manhood  of  their  Lives, 

the  Patient  Endurance  of  Suffering, 

and  the  Heroism  of  Death, 

and  who,  in  the  Dark  Hours  of  Imprisonment, 

in  the  Hopelessness  of  the  Hospital, 

in  the  Short,  Sharp  Agony  of  the  Field, 

Found  Support  and  Consolation  in  the  Belief 

that  at  home  they  would  not  be  forgotten. 

SOUTH  SIDE. 

Let  the  Stranger 
Who  May  in  Future  Times 
Read  this  Inscription, 
Recognize  that  these  were  Men 
Whom  Death  Could  not  Terrify, 
Whom  Defeat  Could  not  Dishonor, 
and  let  their  Virtues  Plead    . 
for  Just  Judgment, 
of  the  Cause  in  which  they  Perished. 
Let  the  South  Carolinian 
of  Another  Generation 
Remember 
That  the  State  Taught  Them 
How  to  Live  and  How  to  Die, 
And  that  from  her  Broken  Fortunes 
She  has  Preserved  for  Her  Children 
the  Priceless  Treasure  of  their  Memories, 
Teaching  all  who  may  claim 
the  Same  Birthright 
that  Truth,  Courage,  and  Patriotism 
Endure  Forever. 


97 
LITTLE  GIFFEN. 

Out  of  the  focal  and  foremost  fire, 

Out  of  the  hospital  wall  as  dire, 
Smitten  of  grape  shot  and  gangrene, 

(Eighteenth  battle  and  he  sixteen !) 
Spectre !    Such  as  you  seldom  see, 

Little  Giffen  of  Tennessee ! 

"Take  him  and  welcome!"  the  surgeons  said; 

Little  the  doctor  can  help  the  dead ! 
So  we  took  him  and  brought  him  where 

The  balm  was  sweet  in  the  summer  air; 
And  we  laid  him  down  on  a  wholesome  bed — 

Metter  Lazarus,  heel  to  head ! 

And  we  watched  th«  war  with  bated  breath — 
Skeleton  boy  against  skeleton  death. 

Months  of  torture,  how  many  such 
Weary  weeks  of  stick  and  crutch, 

And  still  a  glint  of  the  steel-blue  eye, 
Told  of  a  spirit  that  wouldn't  die. 

And  didn't.     Nay,  more!  in  death's  despite 
The  crippled  skeleton  "learned  to  write." 

Dear  Mother,  at  first,  of  course;  and  then 
Dear  Captain,  inquiring  about  the  men. 

Captain's  answer;  of  eighty  and  five, 
Giffen  and  I  are  left  alive. 

Word  of  gloom  from  the  war  one  day : 
Johnston  pressed  at  the  front,  they  say. 

Little  Giffen  was  up  and  hurried  away ; 
A  tear — his  first — as  he  bade  goodbye, 

Dimmed  the  glint  of  his  steel-blue  eye. 
"I'll write, if  spared!"    There  was  news  of  the 
fight, 

But  none  of  Giffen — he  did  not  write. 

I  sometimes  fancy  that,  were  I  king 

Of  the  princely  knights  of  the  Golden  Ring, 
With  the  song  of  the  minstrel  in  mine  ear, 
And  the  tender  story  that  trembles  here, 
I'd  give  the  best  on  his  bended  knee, 
The  whitest  soul  of  my  chivalry, 
For  "Little  Giffen"  of  Tennessee. 

—Frank  O.  Ticknor. 

THE  CONQUERED  BANNER. 

Abram  Joseph  Ryan. 

Furl  that  banner,  for  'tis  weary, 
'Round  it's  staff  'tis  drooping  dreary, 

Furl  it,  fold  it,  it  is  best ; 
For  there's  not  a  man  to  wave  it, 


And  there's  not  a  sword  to  save  itr 
And  there's  not  one  left  to  lave  it, 
In  the  blood  which  heroes  gave  it, 
And  it's  foes  now  scorn  and  brave  it r 
Furl  it,  hide  it— let  it  rest  I 

Take  that  banner  down !  'tis  tattered? 
Broken  is  it's  staff  and  shattered; 
And  the  valiant  hosts  are  scattered 

Over  whom  it- floated  high. 
Oh !  'tis-  hard  for  us  to  fold  it; 
Hard  to  think  there's  none  to  hold  it; 
Hard  that  those  who  once  unrolled  ity 

Now  must  furl  it  with  a  sigh. 

Furl  that  banner !  Furl  it  sadly ! 
Once  ten  thousand  hailed  it  gladly, 
And  ten  thousand  wildly,  madly  r 

Swore  it  should  forever  wave ; 
Swore  that  foeman's  sword  should  never 
Hearts  like  theirs  entwined  dissever, 
Till  that  flag  should  float  forever 

O'er  their  freedom  or  their  grave ! 

Furl  it  I  For  the  hands  that  grasped  itr 
And  the  hearts  that  fondly  clasped  it, 

Cold  and  dead  are  lying  low; 
And  that  banner — it  is  trailing ! 
While  around  it  sounds  the  wailing 

Of  it's  people  in  their  woe. 
For  though  conquered,  they  adore  it  ? 
Love  the  cold,  dead  hands  that  bore  it ! 
Weep  for  those  who  fell  before  it ! 
Pardon  those  who  trailed  and  tore  it ! 
But,  oh !  wildly  they  deplore  it7 
No  w  who  furl  and  fold  it  so. 

Furl  that  banner !  True,  'tis  gory, 
Yet  'tis  wreathed  around  with  glory 7 
And  'twill  live  in  song  and  story, 

Though  it's  folds  are  in  the  dust; 
For  it's  fame  on  brightest  pages, 
Penned  by  poets  and  by  sages, 
Shall  go  sounding  down  the  ages — 

Furl  it's  folds  though  now  we  must. 

Furl  that  banner,  softly,  slowly, 
Treat  it  gently — it  is  holy — 

For  it  droops  above  the  dead, 
Touch  it  not — unfold  it  never, 
Let  it  droop  there,  furled  forever, 
For  its  people's  hopes  are  dead! 


DIXIE. 

Air:  "Annie  Laurie/' 

Oh!  Dixie's  homes  are  bonnie, 
And  Dixie's  hearts  are  true; 

And  'twas  down  in  dear  old  Dixie 
Our  life's  first  breath  we  drew; 

*(And  there  our  last  we  sigh),  1 : 
And  for  Dixie,  dear  old  Dixie, 

We'll  lay  us  down  and  die. 

No  fairer  land  than  Dixie's 
Has  ever  seen  the  light; 

No  braver  boys  than  Dixie's 
To  stand  for  Dixie's  right; 

{With  hearts  so  true  and  high),  I); 
And  for  Dixie,  dear  old  Dixie, 

To  lay  them  down  and  die. 

Oh !  Dixie's  vales  are  sunny, 
And  Dixie's  hills  are  blue, 

And  Dixie's  skies  are  bonnie, 
And  Dixie's  daughters,  too — 

<As  stars  in  Dixie's  sky)  |: 
And  for  Dixie,  dear  old  Dixie, 

We'll  lay  us  down  and  die. 


No  more  upon  the  mountain, 

No  longer  by  the  shore, 
The  trumpet  song  of  Dixie 

Shall  shake  the  world  no  more", 
For  Dixie's  songs  are  o'er, 

Her  glory  gone  on  high, 
And  the  brave  who  bled  for  Dixie, 

Have  laid  them  down  to  die. 

— F.  O.  Ticknor  of  Columbus,  Ga. 


LAND  OF  THE  SOUTH. 

Land  of  the  South!  — imperial  land! 

How  proud  thy  mountains  rise ! — < 
How  sweet  thy  scenes  on  every  hand ! 

How  fair  thy  covering  skies! 
But  not  for  this — oh,  not  for  these, 

I  love  thy  fields  to  roam — 
Thou  hast  a  dearer  spell  to  me — 

Thou  art  my  native  home ! 

The  rivers  roll  their  liquid  wealth, 
Unequaled  to  the  sea — 


100 


Thy  hills  and  valleys  bloom  with  health, 

And  green  with  verdure  be ! 
But,  not  for  thy  proud  ocean  streams, 

Not  for  thine  azure  dome — 
Sweet,  sunny  South ! — I  cling  to  thee — 

Thou  art  my  native  home ! 

I've  stood  beneath  Italia' s  clime 

Beloved  of  tale  and  song — 
On  Helvyn's  hills,  proud  and  sublime, 

Where  nature's  wonders  throng; 
By  Tempe's  classic  sunlit  streams, 

Where  gods  of  old  did  roam — 
But  ne'er  have  found  so  fair  a  land 

As  thee — my  native  home! 

And  thou  hast  prouder  glories,  too, 

Than  nature  ever  gave, — 
Peace  sheds  o'er  thee  her  genial  dew 

And  Freedom's  pinions  wave, 
Fair  science  flings  her  pearls  around — 

Religion  lifts  her  dome — 
These,  these  endear  thee  to  my  heart, — 

My  own,  loved  native  home! 

And  "heaven's  best  gift  to  man"  is  thine, — 

God  bless  thy  rosy  girls ! 
Like  sylvan  flowers,  they  shine, 

Their  hearts  are  pure  as  pearls ! 
And  grace  and  goodness  circle  them, 

Where'er  their  footsteps  roam. — 
How  can  I  then,  whilst  loving  them, 

Not  love  my  native  home'? 

Land  of  the  South!  imperial  land! — 

Then  here's  a  health  to  thee, — 
Long  as  thy  mountain  barriers  stand, 

May'st  thou  be  blest  and  free! 
May  dark  dissension's  banner  ne'er 

Wave  e'er  thy  fertile  loam, — 
But  should  it  come,  there's  one  will  die 

To  save  his  native  home ! 

— Alexander  Beaufort  Meek, 
Columbia,  S.  C. 


THE  OLD  NORTH  STATE. 
By  Judge  William  Gaston. 

Carolina!     Carolina!     Heaven's  blessings  attend  her! 

While  we  live  we  will  cherish  and  love  and  defend  her. 
Though  the  scorner  may  sneer  at  and  witlings  defame  her. 

Our  hearts  swell  with  gladness,  whenever  we  name  her. 


101 

CHORUS:  Hurrah!  hurrah!     The  Old  North  State  forever! 
Hurrah !  hurrah !     The  good  old  North  State! 

Though  she  envies  not  others  their  merited  glory, 

Say,  whose  name  stands  the  foremost  in  Liberty's  story? 

Though  too  true  to  herself  e'er  to  crouch  to  oppression, 
Who  can  yield  to  just  rule  a  more  loyal  submission:' 

Plain  and  artless  her  sons,  but  whose  doors  open  faster 
At  the  knock  of  the  stranger,  or  the  tale  of  disaster? 

How  like  to  the  rudeness  of  their  dpar  native  mountains — 
With  rich  ore  in  their  bosoms  and  life  in  their  fountains ! 

And  her  daughters,  the  queen  of  the  forest  resembling, 
So  graceful,  so  constant,  yet  to  gentlest  breath  trembling : 

And,  true  lightwood  at  heart,  let  the  match  be  applied  them ; 
How  they  kindle  and  flame !     Oh!  none  know  but  who've 
tried  them ! 

Then  let  all  who  love  us,  love  the  land  that  we  live  in — 
As  happy  a  region  as  on  this  side  of  heaven — 

Where  plenty  and  freedom,  love  and  peace  smile  before  us, 
Raise  aloud,  raise  together,  the  heart-thrilling  chorus : 

Hurrah !  hurrah !  The  old  North  State  forever ! 
Hurrah !  hurrah !  The  good  old  North  State ! 


HO!  FOR  CAROLINA! 

Let  no  heart  in  sorrow  weep  for  other  days ; 

Let  no  idle  dreamers  tell  in  melting  lays 

Of  the  merry  meetings  in  the  rosy  bowers — 

For  there's  no  land  on  earth  like  this  fair  land  of  ours ! 

CHORUS:  Ho!  for  Carolina!  that's  the  land  for  me! 

In  her  happy  borders  roam  the  brave  and  free, 
And  her  bright-eyed  daughters !  none  can  fairer 

be — 
Oh !  it  is  the  land  of  love  and  sweet  liberty ! 

Down  in  Carolina  grows  the  lofty  pine, 

And  her  groves  and  forests  bear  the  scented  vine ; 

Here  are  peaceful  homes,  too,  nestling  'mid  the  flowers— 

Oh !  there's  no  land  on  earth  like  this  fair  land  of  ours. 

Come  to  Carolina  in  the  summer  time, 

When  the  luscious  fruits  are  hanging  in  their  prime, 

And  the  maidens  singing  in  the  leafy  bowers — 

Oh !  there's  no  land  on  earth  like  this  fair  land  of  ours ! 

Her  patriot  sons  are  peaceful,  modest,  too,  and  brave, 
The  first  to  spurn  the  shackles  intended  for  the  slave ; 
Disdaining  boastful  tyrants,  they  trust  in  duty's  powers — 
Oh !  there  are  no  men  on  earth  more  nobly  true  than  ours ! 


102 

All  her  girls  are  charming,  graceful,  too,  and  gay, 

Happy  as  the  blue-birds  in  the  month  of  May ; 

And  they  steal  your  hearts  by  their  magic  powers— 

Oh !  there  are  no  girls  on  earth  that  can  compare  with  ours ! 

Behold  her  vales  and  forests,  her  sparkling  brooks  and 

rills, 
And  fields  of  golden  harvests,  her  mountains  and  her  hills, 
All  robed  in  fairest  beauty  with  nature's  sweetest  flowers — 
Oh !  who  would  not  be  proud  of  this  heritage  of  ours? 

— Anonymous. 

"APPLES  OF  GOLD  IN  PICTURES  OF  SILVER." 

Affectionately  Dedicated  to  Papa. 

By  W.  A.  B. 

A  stranger  passing  on  the  streets  of  Frederick,  Maryland, 

Was  marching  with  a  Southern  corps,  a  brave  and  war- 
like band. 

By  chance  he  saw  a  sight  full  pure  enough  for  heaven's 
dome, 

Which  made  his  heart  leap  forth  with  joy  in  tender  thought 
of  home. 

A  little  maiden  pure  and  sweet  seemed  flitting  through 

the  air, 
Transformed  into  an  angel  bright,  with  brow  untouched 

by  care. 
Her  hand  of  mercy  seized  a  cup  filled  with  sparkling  water, 
And  poured  well  full  the  soldier's  tins,   like  a  queenly 

daughter. 

A  vessel   near   was   kept    supplied    with   the  refreshing 

draught, 
And  as  she  worked  with  hands  of  love,   so  merrily  she 

laughed. 
A  chaplain  of  the  "Thirtieth"  (this  stranger  passing  by) 
Stood  rapt,  in  meditation  on  the  sight  which  met  his  eye. 

He  gazed  with  fond  devotion  as  his  trembling  hand  he  laid 
Upon  her  youthful  head  and  said,   "God  bless  you,   little 

maid!" 
"He  will  bless  you,  for  he  hath  said  whoever  shall  e'en  give 
A  cup  of  water  in  his  name,  shall  a  reward  receive." 

He  went  his  way,  absorbed  in  thought,  when  suddenly  in 

rear 
He  heard  a  little  pit-a-pat  upon  the  sidewalk  near. 
Facing  about  he  met  the  maid,  who  sweetly  said:  "Mister, 
Mama  savs  will  you  please  come  back  there,  just  a  moment, 

sir?" 


103 

She  led  him  through  this  door  and  that,  through  passage, 
hall  and  out 

Into  a  parlor,  large  and  bright-  garbed  in  his  ' "round- 
about. " 

A  lady  rose  with  queenly  grace,  who  said:  "Kind  sir,"  you 

spoke 
Unto  my  little  girl  just  now,  God's  blessings  to  invoke." 

The  stranger  bowed  with  modest  air  in  assent  to  the  same, 
And  then  with  guests  and  relatives  a  moment's  chat  they 

claim. 
The  chaplain  leaves.    He  bids  adieu  to  friends  collected 

there 
And  joins  his  comrades  on  the  march,   the  crown  to  win 

and  wear. 


The  war  is  o'er.    In  "Sixty-six,"  on  N.  C's.  eastern  shore, 
Is  found  an  humble  Pastor  who  is  weary  and  foot-sore. 
The  ills  of  war  have  plied  too  well  their  scourge  with  iron 

hand 
And  Carolina's  goodly  soil  is  desolated  land. 

The  Pastor,  too,  partakes  of  this  misfortune  of  his  State. 
Chill  penury  applies  with  pain  her  comfortless  ill-fate. 
His  little  ones  about  him  are  in  almost  threadbare  clothes; 
And  other  bare  necessities  the  pantry  also  shows. 

We  find  him  on  a  summer  eve  engaged  in  garden  work, 
Intent  that  he  will  persevere,  nor  e'en  one  duty  shirk. 
When  lo,  a  lad  calls  at  the  gate!  "A  letter,  sir!"  he  said. 
The  Pastor  took  the  missive  brought,  then  broke  the  seal 
and  read. 

He  learned  it  was  from  distant  friends  of  Frederick,  Mary- 
land , 

And  brought  glad  tidings  to  his  heart,  as  sent  by  Mercy's 
hand. 

His  nerves  gave  way;  o'ercome  with  joy  at  such  outlook 
for  fate, 

He  sought  a  stump  which  stood  near  by — his  thoughts  to 
collocate. 

He  reads  that  friends,  in  thoughtful  love,  their  very  best 
have  done, 

And  that  a  box  of  "sundries"  have  been  shipped  to  Wil- 
mington. 

That  night  around  the  household  hearth,  to  Our  Father's 
care 

These  "friends  indeed"  were  wafted  up  in  humble,  heart- 
felt prayer. 

Bost's  Mills,  Cabarrus  county,  N.  C,  July  14th,  1876. 


Rev.  W.  A.  Betts,  Ph.  B.  (Univ.  of  N.  C.) 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South. 

South  Carolina  Conference. 


